BID MANAGER (10514)

Our client, one of the UK’s leading and award-winning catering & hospitality providers, is offering this rare opportunity to join the creative minds of their team.

They are seeking an experienced Bid Manager to join their team and who will play a strategic and proactive role. They have a preference for candidates who can demonstrate extensive experience of the bidding and business development environment and knowledge of the the contract catering sector.

This successful candidate will be directly responsible for effective bid management, solution development, bespoke bid writing and control of the bidding processes. He or she will lead and manage all aspects of bids, from being the main point of contact, collating all relevant data, writing a competitive bid response, working with  graphic designers and print partners, until the proposal reaches the client.

Responsibilities 

• Ensure all proposal and tender opportunities are tracked from opportunity, to delivery, through to post review feedback.

• Carry out research for kick off meetings.

• Ensure relevant information is captured from all stakeholders to facilitate the completion of the tender.

• Write and produce Sales Documents, Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQs), Invitation to Tenders (ITTs) and Presentations in accordance with agreed deadlines.

• Effectively communicating timetables and key messages throughout the tender process to all key stakeholders.

• Participate in key review meetings / final document review / content sign off and document production meetings.

• Genuine opportunity to be imaginative and creative to really make our bids stand out from the crowd.

• Work closely with the operators to know what can be promised and can be delivered.

• Work with our third party graphic designer and print agency to control and produce a high quality bid response document.

• Liaise with sales / marketing / ops teams to produce up-to-date case studies to use within all proposals.

• Identify and re-work existing pre-written Bid Library content where relevant keeping it relevant and up-to-date.

• Re-write / edit proposal responses from a variety of key stakeholders, including contributions from sales, marketing, ops, finance & legal teams.

• Ensure governance is followed and all relevant approvals are obtained.

• Ensuring compliance with tender return instructions and ensuring a complete return

Skills + Experience 

• A minimum of two years’ bid experience in a similar role.

• Able to write, produce and edit bid content within a complex business environment.

• Excellent writing skills (essential).

• Excellent project management skills.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with clients and stakeholders.

• Experience of identifying, reviewing and evaluating each new business opportunity.

• Up to date with food trends in London

• Passionate about great food and service

• Able to translate all of the above into the written word and ultimately an engaging and winning tender submission!

• Highly organised.

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic with a “can-do” personality.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Committed to delivering excellent standards at all times.

• Flexible and able to be responsive and react to change and prioritise accordingly.

• Willing to work flexible and additional hours as necessary to fulfil the demands of the role.

• You will ideally be a graduate with excellent financial, commercial and business development experience and will have worked in the contract catering market.

• Must be a self-starter, highly organised, and able to work well with colleagues at all levels in the organisation.

• Needs good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Publisher). Adobe Photoshop and InDesign would be ideal but not essential.