At a Glance
- Tasks: Craft winning bids and tenders while collaborating with a supportive team.
- Company: Join Hargreaves Industrial Services, a leader in industrial contracting.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health support, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career progression within a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in business development with hands-on experience.
- Qualifications: Recent graduate with strong writing skills and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent
SALARY: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum
HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
BENEFITS: Westfield Health, EAP, KPI Related Bonus, 25 days holiday
CLOSING DATE: 1st May 2026
A vacancy has arisen for a Graduate Bid Writer to join our Business Development Team at Head Office in Barnsley. Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd are a quality assured contracting company delivering EPC turnkey projects, framework contracts and term service operation and maintenance contracts across a wide range of industrial markets in the UK.
About the Opportunity
Are you a recent graduate with strong writing skills, a sharp eye for detail, and an interest in how major projects are won? This is an exciting opportunity to launch your career as a Graduate Bid Writer within a supportive, experienced bids team. Our bid team is collaborative, supportive and takes pride in producing high quality work together. At Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd, we deliver complex engineering and industrial projects across the UK. Behind every successful project is a high quality bid — and as a Graduate Bid Writer, you’ll play a key role in shaping winning tender submissions while developing valuable commercial, writing and stakeholder management skills. This role is ideal for a graduate who enjoys research and structured writing, thrives in a team environment, and is looking for a long term career in bids, proposals or business development.
About Us
Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd is a quality assured contracting organisation delivering EPC turnkey projects, framework contracts and long term operation and maintenance services across a wide range of industrial sectors. Alongside delivering excellent results for our clients, we are committed to developing our people and supporting early career professionals.
The Role
As a Graduate Bid Writer, you’ll support the preparation and submission of high quality bids and tenders. Working closely with experienced Bid Managers and subject matter experts, you’ll gain hands on experience across the full bid lifecycle. The role briefly encompasses the following:
- Assisting with written responses for PQQs, ITTs, RFQs and other tender submissions
- Drafting clear, concise and compliant answers aligned to client requirements and evaluation criteria
- Editing, proofreading and formatting bid documents to a professional standard
- Supporting the production of CVs, case studies, method statements and executive summaries
- Researching client organisations, project requirements and market sectors
- Gathering and organising information from operational, technical, commercial and HSEQ teams
- Maintaining and updating the bid content library, including case studies and standard responses
Learning & Development
Through structured learning and on the job support, you will:
- Develop an understanding of bid best practice, scoring methodologies and win themes
- Learn how to interpret tender documents and client priorities
- Build confidence seeking and incorporating feedback to improve writing quality
- Gain experience in bid coordination, document control and version management
- Support compliance checks prior to submission
- Learn how to upload and submit bids via procurement portals
Typical progression from this role is into a Bid Writer position within 18–24 months, subject to performance and development.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills/attributes:
- Excellent written English with strong attention to detail
- Ability to structure information clearly and logically
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Confidence communicating with colleagues at all levels
- Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
- A positive attitude and willingness to learn, take feedback and meet deadlines
- Awareness of public or private sector procurement processes
- Experience of academic, technical or structured business writing
- Familiarity with procurement portals (e.g. Delta, Proactis, Atamis)
Qualifications & Experience
Degree (or expected degree) in a relevant subject, such as:
- English, Journalism or Communications
- Business, Marketing or Management
- Engineering, Construction or another technical discipline (with strong writing ability)
- Placement year, internship or part time role involving writing, research or proposals
What We Offer
- 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
- Performance‑related bonus
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Westfield Health (support with dental, optical and physiotherapy costs)
- Hargreaves Rewards – retail and lifestyle discounts
- Company pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Life insurance
HIS3368 Graduate Bid Writer - Barnsley employer: Hargreaves Services plc
Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd is an exceptional employer located in Barnsley, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for recent graduates. With a focus on employee development, the company provides structured learning opportunities, competitive benefits including 25 days of annual leave, and a performance-related bonus, making it an ideal place for those looking to kickstart their career in bid writing and business development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HIS3368 Graduate Bid Writer - Barnsley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your skills and experiences in a way that highlights how you can contribute to the team. A confident, clear pitch can make all the difference in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research the company and its projects, and be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with their needs. Showing genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you note. It shows appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace HIS3368 Graduate Bid Writer - Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Graduate Bid Writer role. Highlight your writing skills and any relevant experience that aligns with the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our bids team!
Show Off Your Writing Skills:Since this role is all about writing, include samples of your best work if possible. Whether it's academic essays or previous bid submissions, we love seeing clear, concise, and structured writing that demonstrates your attention to detail.
Research is Key:Take some time to research Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd and the types of projects we handle. Understanding our business will help you tailor your application and show us that you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hargreaves Services plc
✨Know Your Bid Basics
Before the interview, brush up on the fundamentals of bid writing. Understand the types of documents you'll be working with, like PQQs and ITTs. Familiarity with these terms will show your enthusiasm and readiness to dive into the role.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio of your best writing samples, especially those that demonstrate structured and clear communication. Whether it's academic essays or project reports, having tangible examples will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
✨Research the Company
Dig deep into Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd. Understand their projects, values, and the sectors they operate in. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the bid process, and opportunities for growth within the company. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.