Bid Manager

SYOS Aerospace; Mount Maunganui; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace invites an experienced Bid Manager to own the end-to-end bid process from qualification to submission. You’ll unite commercial, technical and executive teams to craft clear, compelling proposals for defense and dual-use markets.

In NZ and the UK, you’ll shape strategy, set timelines and drive high-quality submissions, coordinating stakeholders to ensure compliance and on-time delivery in a fast-moving, growth-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering defense or dual-use bids.
• Experience managing end-to-end bid processes from qualification to submission.
• Ability to coordinate commercial, technical and executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead formal RFI, RFP, ITT and tender responses from qualification through to submission.
• Own the gated bid process, including go/no-go decisions and stage reviews.
• Set timelines, manage internal reviews and keep contributors accountable.
• Manage final submission logistics, procurement portals and client/Authority liaison.
• Build high-quality, SYOS-branded proposals and ensure compliance.
• Bring technical, commercial and leadership input into a clear narrative.
• Influence and manage contributors who don't report directly to you.
• Create clarity around what's needed, by when and from whom.
• Keep the team calm and moving when deadlines are tight.

Skills

Bid management

Capture

Proposal writing

Stakeholder influence

Defense procurement

Commercial acumen

Technical fluency

Leadership coordination

Job description

Own the bids that help shape where SYOS goes next.

SYOS is growing quickly across aerospace and dual-use markets, and our bids are a big part of that growth. We're looking for an experienced Bid Manager to take ownership of the end-to-end bid process -from the initial qualification through to submission. You'll bring together commercial, technical and executive teams, turn complex information into clear and compelling proposals, and keep everyone moving when the deadline is closing in. This is a role for someone who knows how to run a serious bid, influence senior stakeholders and produce work that stands up in competitive defense environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

Own the bid process

• Lead formal RFI, RFP, ITT and tender responses from qualification through to submission
• Own the gated bid process, including go/no-go decisions and stage reviews
• Set timelines, manage internal review points and keep contributors accountable
• Manage final submission logistics, procurement portals and client/Authority liaison

Shape the strategy

• Work with Commercial to develop and embed clear win themes
• Conduct competitor and market analysis to inform bid strategy
• Help shape pricing and price-to-win positioning

Build compelling submissions

• Own the production of high-quality, consistent and SYOS-branded proposals
• Bring technical, commercial and leadership input together into a clear, compelling narrative
• Ensure submissions are accurate, compliant and aligned to customer requirements
• Maintain appropriate security, export-control and compliance considerations throughout the process

Bring people together

• Act as the central point of coordination across commercial, technical and executive stakeholders
• Influence and manage contributors who don't report directly to you
• Create clarity around what's needed, by when and from whom
• Keep the team calm, focused and moving when deadlines are tight

You’ll have a proven track record of managing and delivering successful defense and/or dual-use bids, and be comfortable taking ownership from the first opportunity assessment through to submission.

You’ll Bring

• Strong bid management, capture or proposal experience
• A good understanding of defense procurement and the bid lifecycle
• Strong commercial and business acumen
• Enough technical fluency to engage credibly with engineering and product teams
• Excellent written communication and the ability to turn complex information into a compelling story
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders without relying on hierarchy
• Calmness and good judgement when the pressure is on
• An understanding of security, export control and compliance considerations relevant to defense bids

You don't need to be an engineer - but you do need to be comfortable working with engineers and technical leaders and understanding what makes a proposition credible.

Why SYOS?

We're building robotics and autonomous systems across air, land, sea and subsurface, working across defense and commercial markets in New Zealand and the UK.

We're a fast-moving business, which means you'll have real ownership and plenty of opportunity to shape how we do things.

You’ll work closely with people across the business and have a direct impact on the opportunities we pursue and win.

Big ideas. Real-world impact. And no shortage of interesting bids to get stuck into.

The flexibility

We're open to the right person working full-time or part-time.

If you're an experienced Bid Manager who enjoys owning the process, bringing people together and turning complex technical propositions into compelling bids, we'd like to hear from you.