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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bid process for complex engineering projects and develop winning strategies.
- Company: Join MacTaggart Scott, a leader in Naval Defence innovation since 1898.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a collaborative environment while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in bid management and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for UK and international travel with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: ON SITE - Loanhead, Edinburgh
Flexible Working Options – 4- or 5-day week
About Us
At MacTaggart Scott, we’ve been engineering innovative solutions for the Naval Defence industry since 1898. We deliver end-to-end support from design and manufacture to commissioning and life-cycle management for some of the UK’s most complex defence programmes. We’re proud of our heritage but focused on the future. Continuous improvement, innovation, and developing our people are at the heart of everything we do.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Bid Manager to join our Proposals and Commercial team in Loanhead. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, motivated professional to take ownership of the end-to-end bid process for complex engineering projects. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, develop winning bid strategies, and deliver high-quality proposals that strengthen customer relationships and secure new business.
You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise is valued, and your career can grow within the business. This full-time role runs Monday to Thursday or Monday to Friday depending on preference, with flexibility to meet business needs. The role may involve occasional UK and international travel, and requires applicants to hold or be eligible for the appropriate security clearance.
Key Responsibilities
- Proposal Management: Lead the preparation, coordination, and submission of proposals and tenders for complex engineering projects. Ensure deadlines are met and that proposals meet both customer and internal standards.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with technical, commercial, quality, and operations teams to gather the information needed for proposals. Ensure technical and financial details are accurate, aligned, and presented clearly.
- Client Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for proposal-related queries from both internal stakeholders and clients. Support relationship-building through proactive communication, follow-ups, and effective stakeholder management.
- Proposal Strategy & Writing: Develop winning proposal strategies in partnership with the Business Development team, highlighting key differentiators and value propositions. Write, review, and edit proposal content to ensure clarity, quality, and consistency.
- Ownership of Cost Estimates: Collaborate with estimating teams to produce competitive pricing, accurate cost breakdowns, and margin targets that support business objectives.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all proposals comply with internal governance, legal, contractual, and company standards. Review submissions for quality, consistency, and professional presentation. Present proposal summaries to Senior Management through the gated review process.
- Market Analysis: Support the Business Development team by monitoring industry trends, competitor activity, and customer requirements to continuously improve proposals and commercial performance.
- Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Provide regular updates to senior management on proposal progress, including win/loss analysis and lessons learned for ongoing improvement of processes and outcomes.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong communication and influencing skills and able to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Proven experience in bid or proposal management within an engineering or technical environment.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines.
- Numerate, detail-oriented, and confident using Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Word).
- Proactive and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Desirable
- Membership of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) or similar body.
- Familiarity with ERP systems.
- Awareness of commercial terms and conditions.
- Further education qualification in a Technical or Business discipline.
Benefits
Your future And What We Offer: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours.
Locations
Bid Manager (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian employer: MacTaggart Scott
Contact Detail:
MacTaggart Scott Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bid Manager (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research MacTaggart Scott's history, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to bid management. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel ready to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian
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 in bid management and how it aligns with our needs at MacTaggart Scott. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your communication, organisational, and proposal writing skills. We love seeing real-life applications of your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your proposals reflect that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at MacTaggart Scott!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacTaggart Scott
✨Know Your Bid Process
Make sure you understand the end-to-end bid process thoroughly. Brush up on how to lead proposal management and coordinate with cross-functional teams. Being able to discuss your experience in managing complex bids will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Bid Manager, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients and internal teams in the past. Highlighting your strong influencing skills will demonstrate your ability to build relationships and manage expectations.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about how you would develop winning proposal strategies. Be prepared to share your insights on what differentiates a successful bid from an unsuccessful one. This will show that you not only understand the process but also have a strategic mindset.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Industry Trends
Research current trends in the Naval Defence industry and be ready to discuss them. Showing that you’re aware of competitor activity and customer requirements will highlight your proactive approach and commitment to continuous improvement.