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
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, generous holiday allowance, and a strong focus on sustainability, our company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that you are well-equipped to lead high-value tender processes while enjoying meaningful work and team camaraderie.
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 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 get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure you can clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role of Commercial Bid Leader. A confident and concise pitch can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay organised! Keep track of all the opportunities you’re interested in, along with deadlines and key contacts. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure you don’t miss any important submissions or follow-ups.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications that way!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Bid Leader
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 the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since excellent written communication is crucial for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use professional language but keep it engaging – we want to see your personality shine through!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your past experiences managing bid processes or working with cross-functional teams. We’re looking for someone who can coordinate effectively, so share specific examples that demonstrate your project management skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile
✨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. This shows your proactive approach and genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
As a Commercial Bid Leader, you'll need to coordinate various teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed cross-functional teams or projects. Highlight your project management skills and how you ensured timely and accurate submissions.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on your knowledge of commercial principles and pricing strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply bid/no-bid discipline and ensure that proposals align with commercial parameters. This will demonstrate your understanding of the business side of bidding.
✨Prepare for Post-Submission Insights
Think about how you would handle post-submission reviews and continuous improvement. Be ready to share your thoughts on tracking bid performance and how you would lead internal debriefs to enhance future submissions. This shows that you're not just focused on winning bids but also on learning and improving.
