Bid Manager in Hemel Hempstead

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place.

Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

At Smiths Detection, we are looking for an experienced Bid Manager to join our Commercial Programmes team.

This is a newly created position that has been designed to strengthen our bid and proposal process, ensuring opportunities are commercially robust, risks are effectively managed, and customer commitments are deliverable throughout the contract lifecycle.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded Bid Manager, Contracts Manager, Senior Commercial Officer or Commercial Manager who enjoys working across multiple stakeholders and influencing successful business outcomes.

About the Role

Working closely with the Sales, Programmes, Service and Commercial teams, you will lead the preparation and coordination of complex bids and proposals, ensuring all commercial, contractual, operational and risk considerations are captured before submission.

You will act as the central point of coordination across multiple functions, challenging assumptions, reviewing contractual obligations, identifying risks and driving high-quality proposal submissions that position Smiths Detection for success.

This role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to develop new processes, templates and ways of working as the function continues to evolve.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate bid activities from opportunity through to submission.
• Review customer contracts, terms and conditions, and identify commercial risks.
• Develop and write high-quality proposals and Statements of Work.
• Coordinate contributions from Sales, Programmes, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality and other support functions.
• Challenge cost assumptions and ensure all risks are properly identified, mitigated and costed.
• Produce bid review materials and support governance processes.
• Support commercial negotiations where required.
• Ensure bid submissions are commercially sound and aligned with business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement across bid management processes and templates.

About You

We're looking for an experienced professional who can combine bid management expertise with strong commercial awareness.

• Experience as a Bid Manager, Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Officer.
• Strong commercial and contractual knowledge.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating terms and conditions.
• Experience developing customer proposals and Statements of Work.
• Knowledge of the full contract lifecycle.
• Strong risk management and mitigation experience.
• Ability to challenge stakeholders constructively and influence decisions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working within engineering, technology, defence, manufacturing, infrastructure or similarly complex environments would be advantageous.

Why Join Smiths Detection?

• Brand-new role with the opportunity to make it your own.
• Influence how bids are developed and managed across the business.
• Work with a highly collaborative team and supportive leadership group.
• Flexible hybrid/remote working arrangement.
• Significant exposure to commercial, programme and sales functions.
• Opportunity to establish best practice and drive meaningful change.

The role can be performed on a hybrid or predominantly remote basis.

However, candidates should be able to attend the Hemel Hempstead site when required for stakeholder meetings, bid reviews and collaboration activities.

Travel is expected on an ad-hoc basis rather than as a regular weekly requirement.

Interested in helping shape the future of bid management at Smiths Detection? We'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally.

You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing.

You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing.

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