At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bid strategy and manage complex tender processes for high-value contracts.
- 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 regular team socials and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a vital sector while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years of experience in managing tenders and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
Salary: ÂŁ55,000 â ÂŁ60,000 + 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 crossâfunctional contributors including operations, finance, supply chain, and business development.
- Develop clear response structures and ensure highâquality 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/noâbid discipline.
- Ensure pricing inputs and commercial assumptions are clearly documented and validated prior to submission.
- Prepare summary information for internal approval on larger or higherârisk 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 miniâcompetitions and framework opportunities relevant to the business.
- Support Business Development colleagues in identifying opportunities arising from framework membership.
- PostâSubmission 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
- 5â7 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 onâtime 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 fastâgrowing company operating in a sector that is becoming increasingly important as businesses focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Commercial Bid Leader in London employer: First Mile Limited
Contact Detail:
First Mile Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Commercial Bid Leader in London
â¨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 donât be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
â¨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. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your skills in managing complex tenders.
â¨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the conversation that resonated with you.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Weâre always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Keep an eye on our job postings and make sure your application stands out by showcasing your relevant experience and skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Bid Leader in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
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. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role requires excellent written communication, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use professional language but let your personality shine through. We love a bit of flair in our proposals!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Donât forget to emphasise your experience with public sector procurement processes and managing multiple stakeholders. Weâre looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make it easy for us to see your relevant background.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. Itâs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, itâs super easy â just a few clicks and youâre done!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile Limited
â¨Know Your Tenders
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the tender processes relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with public sector procurement and the specific frameworks mentioned in the job description. This will show your potential employer that youâre not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about the industry.
â¨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing complex tenders. Prepare examples that highlight your organisational capabilities and how you've successfully coordinated multiple stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
â¨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Understand the commercial aspects of the role, including pricing strategies and operational inputs. Be prepared to discuss how youâve applied commercial discipline in past proposals. This will help illustrate your ability to align submissions with business goals.
â¨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the companyâs bidding strategy and how they measure success. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company aligns with your career goals. Itâs a two-way street!