Commercial Bid Leader

Commercial Bid Leader

Full-Time 55000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
First Mile Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the bid strategy and manage complex tender processes for high-value opportunities.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing company focused on sustainability and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, 25 days holiday, and monthly wellbeing allowance.
  • Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work environment with regular team socials and career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in a vital sector while developing your project management skills.
  • Qualifications: 5-7 years in managing tenders, strong communication, and project management skills.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: London, UK (Hybrid)

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 + performance bonus

Reporting to: Interim Commercial Lead

Role Overview

The Commercial Bid Leader owns the commercial bid strategy and execution for complex, high-value opportunities and is responsible for managing the end-to-end tender process for complex national and multi-site service contracts. This role ensures the business identifies appropriate opportunities, submits high-quality proposals, and maintains commercial discipline throughout the tender lifecycle. The Bid Manager acts as the central coordination point for formal procurement processes including framework agreements, public and private sector tenders, and structured RFP opportunities. Working closely with Business Development, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain, the Bid Manager will ensure the business pursues the right opportunities and submits well-structured, competitive proposals.

Key Responsibilities

  • Tender Intelligence & Opportunity Management
    • Maintain oversight of relevant tender portals, procurement platforms, and framework opportunities.
    • Monitor upcoming procurement activity across target sectors and maintain a structured opportunity pipeline.
    • Identify relevant opportunities and coordinate internal evaluation and decision-making.
    • Maintain a central register of live tenders, frameworks, and upcoming re-tender opportunities.
  • Bidding Process Management
    • Lead the full bid lifecycle from PQQ through to final submission.
    • Coordinate cross‑functional contributors including operations, finance, supply chain, and business development.
    • Develop clear response structures and ensure high‑quality written submissions.
    • Manage bid timelines and ensure all submissions are accurate, compliant, and delivered on time.
    • Ensure clear documentation of assumptions and commitments made within each proposal.
  • Commercial Coordination
    • Support the Interim Commercial Lead in applying bid/no‑bid discipline.
    • Ensure pricing inputs and commercial assumptions are clearly documented and validated prior to submission.
    • Prepare summary information for internal approval on larger or higher‑risk tenders.
    • Ensure proposals align with agreed commercial and operational parameters.
  • Framework Management
    • Maintain oversight of framework agreements and approved supplier lists.
    • Coordinate submissions required to access new frameworks and procurement platforms.
    • Track mini‑competitions and framework opportunities relevant to the business.
    • Support Business Development colleagues in identifying opportunities arising from framework membership.
  • Post‑Submission Review
    • Track bid performance and maintain records of win/loss outcomes.
    • Lead internal debriefs following key submissions to identify improvement opportunities.
    • Maintain a library of proposal content, responses, and supporting materials.
    • Support continuous improvement in submission quality and bid efficiency.
  • Mobilisation Handover
    • Ensure a structured handover from sales to operations following contract award.
    • Document key operational and commercial commitments made during the tender process.
    • Support the transition into delivery to ensure contract mobilisation aligns with the submitted proposal.

Skills & Experience

  • 5–7 years’ experience managing complex tenders or proposal processes.
  • Experience responding to public sector or structured procurement processes.
  • Strong project management and organisational capability.
  • Excellent written communication and proposal development skills.
  • Commercial awareness and the ability to work with pricing and operational inputs.
  • Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across commercial and operational teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent opportunities within a structured process.

Success Measures

  • Bid win rate
  • Quality and consistency of submissions
  • Bid process efficiency and on‑time delivery
  • Framework participation and opportunity capture
  • Commercial discipline within submitted proposals

25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with additional days awarded for length of service. Enhanced maternity and paternity scheme. Monthly wellbeing allowance. Regular company events and team socials. Opportunity to join a fast‑growing company operating in a sector that is becoming increasingly important as businesses focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Commercial Bid Leader employer: First Mile Limited

As a Commercial Bid Leader in London, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a competitive salary and performance bonuses, our company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, offering opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that contribute to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Join us for regular team socials and enjoy generous holiday allowances, making this an excellent place to advance your career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
First Mile Limited

Contact Detail:

First Mile Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Bid Leader

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing complex tenders. Practice common interview questions and have your own ready to ask!

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re a great fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Bid Leader

Bid Management
Tender Process Management
Proposal Development
Project Management
Stakeholder Coordination
Commercial Awareness
Written Communication
Organisational Skills
Opportunity Management
Framework Management
Performance Tracking
Continuous Improvement
Time Management
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Bid Leader role. Highlight your experience with complex tenders and showcase how your skills align with our needs at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role requires excellent written communication, use your application to demonstrate your writing prowess. Keep it clear, concise, and professional while still showing a bit of your personality!

Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any past experiences managing bids or proposals, especially in public sector contexts. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated similar challenges before.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining the StudySmarter team!

How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile Limited

✨Know Your Tenders

Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the tender processes relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with the types of tenders the company typically engages with and be ready to discuss how you would manage them effectively.

✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills

This role requires excellent coordination across various teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed cross-functional teams or projects. Highlight your ability to bring different stakeholders together to achieve a common goal.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness

Be prepared to discuss how you approach pricing and commercial assumptions in bids. Think about how you can articulate your understanding of the financial aspects of bid management and how they impact overall success.

✨Prepare for Post-Submission Insights

The interview may touch on how you handle post-submission reviews. Be ready to share your thoughts on tracking bid performance and how you would implement improvements based on win/loss outcomes. This shows your commitment to continuous improvement.

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