Commercial & Bid Manager

Morgan Ryder; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in defense engineering is seeking a Commercial & Bid Manager to lead critical initiatives and secure defense contracts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial management and strategy development, with excellent negotiation skills. In this role, you will be responsible for the entire bid lifecycle, contributing to the future of military capabilities while enjoying competitive benefits, including flexible working options and generous pension schemes.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Half-day Fridays

Excellent pension scheme

Life assurance & enhanced sick pay

Free parking on site

Qualifications

• Proven track record in commercial and bid management ideally in engineering or defence.
• Deep understanding of bid governance frameworks.
• Experience with military contracts is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Leading the full bid lifecycle and ensuring proposals win business.
• Designing and implementing commercial and bidding strategies.
• Negotiating high-value contracts with military clients.

Skills

Commercial principles

Contract negotiation

Project management

Communication

Education

Certification in project or commercial management

Job description

Are you a strategic thinker with a commercial mindset and a talent for leading high-stakes bids? Are you ready to step into a role that shapes the future of cutting-edge defence solutions? One of the UK's most established and respected engineering organisations is on the hunt for a Commercial & Bid Manager to spearhead mission-critical initiatives and secure the next generation of national and international defence contracts.

We're a global name in defence engineering-trusted, proven, and proud of over 100 years of innovation and excellence. From supporting the UK MoD's most ambitious vehicle programmes to delivering rapidly deployable bridging systems across the globe, we're not just building systems-we're building the future of military capability.

With a heritage rooted in integrity, quality, and engineering mastery, our team is expanding. We're looking for a commercially astute leader who thrives in high-pressure environments and is ready to make an immediate impact.

As Commercial & Bid Manager, responsibilities are: -

• Leading the full bid lifecycle, from initial scoping to final submission, ensuring every proposal hits the mark and wins business.
• Designing and implementing forward-thinking commercial and bidding strategies that align with our long-term goals.
• Building detailed pricing, cost models, and financial forecasts that support sustainable and profitable growth.
• Negotiating high-value contracts with military clients and key partners to deliver robust, mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Acting as a vital bridge between internal teams, clients, and subcontractors-strengthening relationships, mitigating risks, and driving results.

The successful candidate will: -

• A proven track record in commercial and bid management-ideally in engineering, defence, or related industries.
• A deep understanding of commercial principles, contract negotiation, and bid governance frameworks.
• Confidence and clarity in communication, with the ability to influence stakeholders at every level.
• Project management prowess, with the ability to juggle multiple bids, priorities, and timelines with precision.
• A strategic outlook paired with hands-on execution-someone who sees the big picture and delivers the details.
• Experience with military contracts is a bonus, as is certification in project or commercial management.

On offer: -

• Salary circa £80,000

• Flexible working options + half-day Fridays
• Excellent pension scheme
• Life assurance & enhanced sick pay
• Free parking on site
• Join a team where your expertise is respected, your input is valued, and your work has global impact.

Interested? To apply, please follow the apply now link to send your CV to Emma Brighouse at Morgan Ryder Associates.

At Morgan Ryder we can provide you with a full range of employment opportunities from short term and fixed term temporary vacancies to permanent positions.

We recruit for companies that operate in the following industries: Food and Drink Manufacturers, FMCG, Packaging, Engineering, Automotive, Aerospace, Warehousing, Logistics, Waste Management, Petro Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Power & Renewable Energy.

Our commitment:

Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.

Please note that calls to and from the offices of Morgan Ryder Associates Ltd. may be monitored or recorded. This is to ensure compliance with regulatory procedures, record business transactions and for training purposes.