Bid Leader

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Bid Leader to join our Product Solutions team in Cramlington. You will own opportunities from qualification through proposal submission, aligning technical and commercial requirements to create competitive value-driven solutions.

The role requires leadership of bid strategies, coordination of internal resources, and clear communication with customers to resolve concerns and achieve win strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing complex bid opportunities from qualification to submission.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into technically and commercially viable proposals.
• Experience reviewing contracts, terms and conditions and managing risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead opportunity qualification activities and define bid strategy and schedules.
• Develop technical and commercial proposals with input from engineers and stakeholders.
• Coordinate inputs from internal teams and suppliers to ensure compliant proposals.
• Present bid recommendations and manage customer clarifications throughout the bid phase.
• Coordinate with Sales Directors on commercial strategy and governance.
• Drive bid quality improvements and ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Bid management

Applications engineering

Proposal engineering

Technical sales

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

HNC/HND/FdEng or equivalent

Job description

We at JKR are supporting our client recruit for an experienced and commercially minded Bid Leader to join our Product Solutions team in Cramlington office.

In this role, you take ownership of assigned opportunities from qualification through proposal submission and negotiation. You bring together technical, commercial, and customer requirements to develop competitive solutions that create value.

Qualification & Strategy

• Lead opportunity qualification activities in accordance with business processes
• Review customer requirements, bid scope and associated risks
• Develop bid strategies, priorities and pursuit plans
• Define resource requirements and proposal schedules
• Present bid recommendations and risk assessments for management review and approval
• Act as the primary customer contact throughout the bid phase and lead technical and commercial clarification activities
• Communicate customer requirements, priorities and feedback to internal stakeholders
• Lead discussions around scope, value engineering and commercial solutions
• Lead resolution of customer concerns and negotiate mutually acceptable outcomes

Proposal Development

• Review customer specifications and develop technical solutions aligned with customer requirements and business objectives
• Perform and review technical evaluations, equipment selections and calculations as required
• Lead the development of technical and commercial proposals, providing direction to Application Engineers were assigned
• Coordinate bid inputs from internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Ensure proposals are technically compliant and aligned with customer requirements
• Manage customer clarification activities throughout the bid and post-submission process

Commercial & Contract Management

• Review customer commercial requirements, contracts and terms and conditions
• Identify, assess and communicate commercial, contractual and execution risks
• Develop commercial qualifications, assumptions, exclusions and negotiation positions
• Support customer negotiations and escalation of significant commercial matters where required
• Collaborate with the Sales Director and Business Unit Director on commercial strategy and governance approvals
• Ensure proposals comply with internal governance and approval requirements

Bid Lead Coordination, Talent Development and Leadership

• Coordinate internal and external resources to support successful bid execution
• Provide day‑to‑day direction and development support to Application Engineers assigned to bids
• Drive continuous improvement in bid quality, efficiency and best practices

Bid Leader Ideal Candidate

• HNC/HND/FdEng or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent technical discipline
• Experience in bid management, applications engineering, proposal engineering, technical sales or a comparable technical‑commercial role
• Experience leading or coordinating complex technical‑commercial proposals
• Experience reviewing customer specifications, commercial requirements and contractual terms and conditions
• Good understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing practices and fabrication methods
• Knowledge of filtration, acoustics, airflow and related equipment applications would be highly valuable

Bid Leader Working Hours

Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 17:00

Friday 08:00 – 12:45