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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for major bids and develop winning strategies in the Defence sector.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in Defence and Digital, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible onsite work, and a chance to enhance your skills.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of strategic bids and drive innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within Defence or IT and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Short-term contract with potential for significant career growth.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Bids Manager to support a leading organisation operating within the Defence and Digital domain. This role will play a key part in supporting major business-winning activity through the leadership of procurement and supply chain strategy across complex bids.
Contract Details
- Contract Length: 3 months
- Location: Guildford (1-2 days per week onsite)
- Rate: £400 to £500 per day (Umbrella)
- IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Due to the security nature of this role, candidates must hold live and transferable SC clearance (used within the last 12 months) and be UK nationals.
Role Overview
The Bids Manager will lead and manage procurement activity for strategic bids and campaigns, ensuring robust procurement strategies are developed and executed to support business growth. The role requires strong commercial judgement, stakeholder management, and experience operating within complex, high-value programmes.
You will work closely with commercial, technical, and project teams, managing subcontract structures, negotiations, and contract implementation, while ensuring governance and compliance requirements are met.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead procurement activity across major bids and business-winning campaigns
- Develop and implement supplier and third-party bid strategies
- Manage subcontract structures, negotiations, and contract implementation
- Ensure governance, compliance, and flow-down of customer contract terms
- Drive value, innovation, risk reduction, and continuous improvement across the supply chain
- Support category management and S&OP planning aligned to business demand
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong background in business-winning procurement within Defence or IT environments
- Significant negotiation and contract drafting experience
- Experience leading large, complex bids from a procurement perspective
- Proven experience managing subcontracts on large programmes (typically £50m+)
- Commercial, deal-construct mindset (not a buyer / purchasing role)
Desirable Qualifications
- Defence or IT industry background
- Experience managing overseas / export subcontract partners
- Degree in a relevant discipline
- CIPS Level 5, IACCM, or equivalent (beneficial but not essential if experience aligns)
Security Requirements
- Live and transferable SC clearance (used within the last 12 months)
- UK nationals only
If you are a commercially focused procurement professional with strong experience in complex bids and are available for a short-term contract, please apply or get in touch for further details.
Bids Manager in Guildford employer: JAM Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
JAM Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bids Manager in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Defence and Digital sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience with complex bids and procurement strategies. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves managing subcontract structures and negotiations, brush up on your techniques. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to refine your approach before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Bids Manager in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Bids Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and complex bids, especially within Defence or IT environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of your negotiation and contract drafting experience that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your SC Clearance: Since this role requires live and transferable SC clearance, make sure to mention it upfront in your application. We need to know you meet this essential requirement right away!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at JAM Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Bids Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the specifics of the bids you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with the procurement strategies and any previous successful bids in the Defence or IT sectors. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially those involving complex contracts. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing subcontract structures and how you've driven value in previous roles. This will highlight your commercial judgement and deal-construct mindset.
✨Understand Governance and Compliance
Brush up on governance and compliance requirements relevant to the Defence sector. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured these standards in past projects. This knowledge will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the complexities of their procurement processes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've managed stakeholder relationships in previous roles. Prepare to share specific instances where you've collaborated with commercial, technical, and project teams. This will illustrate your ability to lead and manage across different functions effectively.
