Bids & Proposals Lead

An excellent opportunity for a commercially-minded and organised professional to join a well-known manufacturing business as their Bids & Proposals Lead, working closely with their Business Development Manager and Estimating team on a range of exciting projects.

Due to an influx of work and ambitious growth targets for the next 3 years, a leading manufacturer of specialist components is looking to grow their commercial presence by recruiting a Bids and Proposals Lead, to join their thriving team on the Wirral. The role will primarily be based on-site with a starting salary on offer of between £48,000 - £58,000 p/a, and is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially-minded candidate to join as Bids & Proposals Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of highly technical products, supporting some of the world's most recognised OEMs in their industry.

The organisation is renowned for its advanced manufacturing facility, which houses state-of-the-art technology and fosters a culture of continuous growth and technical advancement. You will be joining a supportive environment that values collaboration, integrity, and high ethical standards, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, professional development, and work-life balance. If you are looking for a role where your expertise will make a tangible impact and where you can grow alongside a business with an order book extending into the next decade, this position offers the perfect platform.

What you'll do:

As the Bids and Proposals Lead based on the Wirral, you will be at the heart of the organisation's commercial success. Your day-to-day activities will involve steering complex bid processes from RFQ through to production handover while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure every proposal meets both client expectations and internal standards. You will be responsible for developing robust cost models that underpin competitive bids in this industry sector. By organising regular reviews using industry-leading tools like Salesforce, you will keep projects on track while maintaining open communication channels across departments. Your ability to prepare compelling documentation will help secure new business opportunities while your analytical approach ensures continuous improvement. Success in this role means not only delivering winning bids but also upholding the highest standards of ethics and teamwork within a supportive environment.

• Lead the entire bid process from initial RFQ with the BD Manager through to final submission and post-bid review, ensuring all deadlines are met with precision.
• Collaborate closely with business development, engineering, operations, procurement, and commercial teams to gather accurate costings and technical data required for successful bids.
• Organise weekly bid reviews utilising Salesforce and other relevant tools to track progress on all active bids and ensure alignment across departments.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost models for composite materials, tooling requirements, labour allocation, and production processes to support competitive pricing strategies.
• Prepare comprehensive bid documentation including executive summaries, pricing schedules, technical responses, and supporting materials tailored to client specifications.
• Present bid proposals confidently to internal stakeholders and external clients as required, ensuring clarity and professionalism throughout.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform bidding strategies and enhance win rates for new contracts.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analysing post-bid feedback and implementing lessons learned into future proposals.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and regulatory orders throughout the bidding process.

What you bring:

To excel as a Bids and Proposals Lead in this organisation's manufacturing setting, you will bring proven experience coordinating complex bids within fast-moving environments. Your background may include roles in estimating or commercial support where you have demonstrated reliability under pressure, and familiarity with digital tools such as Microsoft Office Suite is expected; any additional experience with Salesforce or ERP systems will further enhance your effectiveness. Above all else, your commitment to ethical conduct aligns perfectly with the company's values of honesty and integrity.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Commercial or related field (or equivalent experience) is essential for understanding complex technical requirements.
• Experience working within manufacturing or engineering environments is crucial.
• Proven track record in bid coordination, estimating or commercial support roles demonstrates your dependability under pressure.
• Exceptional organisational skills enable you to manage multiple bids simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail throughout each stage.
• Advanced analytical abilities allow you to interpret numerical data accurately when developing cost models for materials and labour.
• Excellent communication skills foster effective collaboration with colleagues across business development, engineering, operations, procurement and commercial functions.
• Interpersonal skills are vital for building trust-based relationships both internally within teams and externally with clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel is required; familiarity with Salesforce or ERP / estimating software would be beneficial but not mandatory.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines showcases your commitment to delivering results without compromising quality or compliance.

What's next:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to employee well-being, offering not only competitive salaries but also an exceptional range of benefits tailored to support every aspect of your life. If you're interested in the position and want to explore the opportunity further, please apply using the link provided.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates