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 team socials in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a crucial sector.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years managing tenders, strong project management, and excellent communication 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 employer: First Mile
As a Bid Manager at our London-based company, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to sustainability, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while enjoying regular team events and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager
✨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 contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to meet someone or have an interview, make sure you can clearly explain who you are, what you do, and why you’d be a great fit for the role. Keep it concise and engaging – you want to leave them wanting to know more!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. It’s also a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect candidate and to remind them of your key strengths.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of getting noticed by hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
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 complex tenders and showcase how your skills align with our needs at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use professional language that reflects your ability to develop high-quality proposals.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention your experience with public sector procurement processes and managing multiple stakeholders. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated similar challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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 Bid Manager position!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile
✨Know Your Tenders
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of tenders the company usually handles. Familiarise yourself with their past submissions and any recent wins or losses. This will not only show your interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to improving their bid win rate.
✨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 specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure timely and compliant submissions.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on the latest trends in public sector procurement and pricing strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would apply this knowledge to maintain commercial discipline in proposals. This shows that you understand the bigger picture and can align your strategies with the company's goals.
✨Prepare for Post-Submission Reviews
Be ready to talk about how you handle post-submission processes. Discuss your approach to tracking bid performance and conducting internal debriefs. This will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and your ability to learn from each submission.
