Bids Manager

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Bids Manager to join their team in Woking. The successful candidate will lead procurement activities for significant bids within the Defence and Digital domain, requiring strong negotiation skills and a robust understanding of complex, high-value programmes. You will work closely with various teams to deliver on projects while ensuring compliance with governance standards. A strong background in procurement within Defence or IT environments is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Experience managing subcontracts on large programmes is essential.
• Commercial mindset required for leading high-value bids.
• Ability to negotiate effectively and draft contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activity across major bids and campaigns.
• Develop and implement supplier bid strategies.
• Manage subcontract structures and negotiations.

Skills

Strong background in business-winning procurement within Defence or IT environments

Significant negotiation and contract drafting experience

Experience leading large, complex bids from a procurement perspective

Proven experience managing subcontracts on large programmes (typically £50m+)

Commercial, deal-construct mindset

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

CIPS Level 5, IACCM, or equivalent

Job description

Overview

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Bids Manager to support a leading organisation operating within the Defence and Digital domain. This role will play a key part in supporting major business-winning activity through the leadership of procurement and supply chain strategy across complex bids.

Contract Details

• Contract Length: 3 months
• Location: Guildford (1-2 days per week onsite)
• Rate: £400 to £500 per day (Umbrella)
• IR35 Status: Inside IR35
• Security: Live and transferable SC clearance (used within the last 12 months) and UK nationals

Role Overview

The Bids Manager will lead and manage procurement activity for strategic bids and campaigns, ensuring robust procurement strategies are developed and executed to support business growth. The role requires strong commercial judgement, stakeholder management, and experience operating within complex, high-value programmes.

You will work closely with commercial, technical, and project teams, managing subcontract structures, negotiations, and contract implementation, while ensuring governance and compliance requirements are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activity across major bids and business-winning campaigns
• Develop and implement supplier and third-party bid strategies
• Manage subcontract structures, negotiations, and contract implementation
• Ensure governance, compliance, and flow-down of customer contract terms
• Drive value, innovation, risk reduction, and continuous improvement across the supply chain
• Support category management and S&OP planning aligned to business demand

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong background in business-winning procurement within Defence or IT environments
• Significant negotiation and contract drafting experience
• Experience leading large, complex bids from a procurement perspective
• Proven experience managing subcontracts on large programmes (typically £50m+)
• Commercial, deal-construct mindset (not a buyer / purchasing role)

Desirable Qualifications

• Defence or IT industry background
• Experience managing overseas / export subcontract partners
• Degree in a relevant discipline
• CIPS Level 5, IACCM, or equivalent (beneficial but not essential if experience aligns)

Security Requirements

• Live and transferable SC clearance (used within the last 12 months)
• UK nationals only

If you are a commercially focused procurement professional with strong experience in complex bids and are available for a short-term contract, please apply or get in touch for further details.

Job Info

• Job Title: Bids Manager
• Company: JAM Recruitment Ltd
• Location: Woking, Surrey
• Posted: Jan 19th 2026
• Closes: Feb 19th 2026
• Sector: Military, Emergency & Government
• Contract: Contract
• Hours: Full Time