Bid Manager in Coventry

NP Aerospace is seeking an experienced Bid Manager to help deliver current contracts and win future business by leading the development of clear, compelling and commercially robust proposals that align to our strategic objectives.

You will manage bids end to end, from bid and no bid through to contract acceptance, coordinating inputs across engineering, programmes, operations, procurement, quality, cost engineering and senior leadership. A key part of the role is owning our Social Values and ESG written responses, ensuring they are credible, compliant and competitive.

Working across our UK and North American business units, you will interpret customer requirements, shape win themes, manage bid plans and budgets, capture risk and assumptions, and produce high quality submissions to tight deadlines. Opportunities will range from smaller quotes to multi million pound, high complexity defence bids.

Main responsibilities

• Lead and support bid activity across major and minor opportunities, producing high quality, compliant and commercially robust proposals.
• Own the creation of Social Values and ESG written responses, ensuring they are evidence based, credible and aligned to customer requirements.
• Take full or joint accountability for bids from bid and no bid through to contract acceptance, coordinating inputs across all required functions.
• Support early capture activity with Business Development, helping to shape the opportunity, clarify the customer need and structure the bid approach before formal launch.
• Manage pre bid submissions as required, including Expressions of Interest, PQQs and RFIs, ensuring timely and well written responses.
• Build and maintain bid plans, schedules and bid budgets, keeping workstreams on track and escalating risks or blockers early.
• Track, maintain and report bid status and key actions clearly and consistently to stakeholders at all levels.
• Work with Project Management, Engineering, Operations, Procurement and Quality to develop technical and service solutions that meet customer requirements and reflect deliverable commitments.
• Partner with Cost Engineering to develop pricing and cost models, including target cost setting and rapid turnaround ROM submissions.
• Identify, capture and manage bid stage risks, assumptions, dependencies and opportunities, ensuring mitigations are defined and owned.
• Structure, coordinate, write and review proposal documents with SMEs, ensuring accuracy, consistency, strong win themes and a high standard of presentation.
• Manage internal stakeholders and external partners professionally, supporting the commercial approach for key partners, subcontractors and strategic suppliers where required.
• Ensure compliance with export controls, security, regulatory and internal governance requirements throughout the bid process.

Experience

• Bid management experience within defence or complex engineering environments, ideally involving Prime Defence Contractors, the UK Ministry of Defence and related agencies, plus export or international customers where relevant.
• Strong understanding of tendering and contracting routes and commercial models, including fixed price, ROM, budgetary and not to exceed, plus competitive and single source submissions.
• Experience contributing to Social Values and ESG content, with an understanding of what good evidence looks like and how it is assessed.
• High level of numeracy and commercial awareness, with experience interpreting cost inputs, assumptions and pricing logic.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel. MS Project experience is desirable.
• Technical awareness of engineering, manufacturing or vehicle and armour environments. Technical qualifications are desirable.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements in defence bidding, including security considerations and export controls.

As part of the interview process, you will complete a short practical exercise based on a Social Values and ESG tender requirement, to assess how you interpret requirements and structure a written response.

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry. Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.

NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.