At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the end-to-end tender process for complex service contracts and submit high-quality proposals.
- Company: Fast-growing company focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, enhanced parental leave, and monthly wellbeing allowance.
- Other info: Enjoy regular company events and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a crucial sector.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years experience in managing tenders and strong 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 Bid Manager 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.
- Bid 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.
Bid Manager in London employer: First Mile Limited
Contact Detail:
First Mile Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager in London
✨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 about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you land that interview, make sure you can clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the Bid Manager role. Tailor your responses to highlight your project management skills and your ability to coordinate across teams.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to check our website regularly! We often post new opportunities that might not be advertised elsewhere. Applying directly through us can give you an edge, so keep an eye out for roles that match your skills and experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience with managing complex tenders and showcase your written communication skills. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves coordinating multiple stakeholders, it’s essential to demonstrate your project management capabilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed timelines and ensured compliance in previous bids. We love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your responses well. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point, just like we do in our proposals.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile Limited
✨Know Your Tenders
Before the interview, dive deep into the tender processes relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with public and private sector procurement processes, as well as any recent tenders that the company has submitted. This will show your understanding of the industry and your proactive approach.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
As a Bid Manager, you'll be coordinating multiple stakeholders. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed cross-functional teams. Highlight how you ensured timely submissions and maintained high-quality proposals, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on your commercial knowledge, especially regarding pricing strategies and operational inputs. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied bid/no-bid discipline in previous roles and how you ensure proposals align with commercial parameters. This will illustrate your fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Post-Submission Discussions
Expect questions about how you handle post-submission reviews and track bid performance. Think of specific instances where you led debriefs after key submissions and how you used feedback to improve future proposals. This shows your commitment to continuous improvement and efficiency.