Commercial Bid Manager- SI EA

Siemens Mobility; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Siemens Mobility in South Africa seeks a Commercial Bid Manager to lead the commercial aspects of bids, tenders and complex projects. You will provide financial modelling, contract guidance and governance support throughout the bid lifecycle, interfacing with Sales, Engineering, Project Management, Legal, Tax and Finance to secure profitable opportunities.

The role requires strong negotiation, analytical skills and experience in multinational, cross-border environments, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial bid management, commercial project management, contract management or finance.
• Experience negotiating customer contracts.
• Experience working with multinational and cross-border projects.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes advantageous.
• Experience in engineering, infrastructure, rail, energy, automation, or technology environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial preparation of complex bids and tenders.
• Consolidate financial, commercial, tax and contractual inputs into winning proposals.
• Develop commercial bid strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Support mandate approval and governance processes including PM@Siemens and LoA approvals.
• Ensure bid compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Lead commercial contract negotiations with customers, consortium partners and subcontractors.
• Develop optimal commercial structures balancing competitiveness and risk allocation.
• Support legal teams in negotiating contract terms and conditions.
• Negotiate payment terms, securities, guarantees, liabilities and commercial obligations.
• Assess tax implications of project execution models and business structures.
• Collaborate with Tax, Legal, and Finance teams on international project opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with local and international tax requirements during the bid phase.
• Identify, quantify, evaluate and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
• Develop mitigation plans and commercial contingency strategies.
• Support project teams in managing financial exposure throughout the project lifecycle.
• Participate in governance reviews and approval processes.
• Review project financial models, cash flow forecasts and profitability analyses.
• Evaluate commercial business cases.
• Support pricing strategies and margin optimization.
• Monitor commercial performance throughout the bid and execution phases.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Matrixed environment

Integrity & accountability

Complex issues under pressure

Communication & presentation

Education

BCom Accounting, Finance, Economics, Commerce or equivalent

CIMA, CA(SA), MBA, CFA or similar professional qualification (advantageous)

Job description

Job Title / Role: Commercial Bid Manager

Organization: SI EA - Lead Country South Africa

Reporting Manager: Country BU Finance Manager

The Business

Smart Infrastructure Electrification & Automation (SI EA) is a global business unit with a complete portfolio offering in electrification and automation, strong presence in relevant geographies and vertical markets. It serves its customers with products, systems, solutions and services to enable and drive transformation of electrical networks through IoTzation, innovation and disruption.

Role Headline

The Commercial Bid Manager is responsible for the commercial leadership of bids, tenders and complex project opportunities. The incumbent provides commercial guidance throughout the bid lifecycle, including financial modelling, contract negotiations, risk and opportunity management, cross-border tax considerations, governance approvals and claim management to ensure sustainable and profitable business growth. This role acts as the commercial counterpart to Sales, Engineering, Project Management, Legal, Tax and Finance functions.

Responsibilities of the Role

Commercial Bid Management

• Lead the commercial preparation of complex bids and tenders.
• Consolidate financial, commercial, tax and contractual inputs into winning proposals.
• Develop commercial bid strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Support mandate approval and governance processes including PM@Siemens and LoA approvals.
• Ensure bid compliance with internal and external requirements.

Contract Negotiation

• Lead commercial contract negotiations with customers, consortium partners and subcontractors.
• Develop optimal commercial structures balancing competitiveness and risk allocation.
• Support legal teams in negotiating contract terms and conditions.
• Negotiate payment terms, securities, guarantees, liabilities, indemnities and commercial obligations.

Tax and Cross-Border Commercial Support

• Assess tax implications of project execution models and business structures.
• Evaluate cross-border transactions and permanent establishment risks.
• Collaborate with Tax, Legal, and Finance teams on international project opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with local and international tax requirements during the bid phase.

Commercial Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify, quantify, evaluate and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
• Develop mitigation plans and commercial contingency strategies.
• Support project teams in managing financial exposure throughout the project lifecycle.
• Participate in governance reviews and approval processes.
• Review project financial models, cash flow forecasts and profitability analyses.
• Evaluate commercial business cases.
• Support pricing strategies and margin optimization.
• Monitor commercial performance throughout the bid and execution phases.

Qualifications and Experience

• BCom Accounting, Finance, Economics, Commerce or equivalent.
• CIMA, CA(SA), MBA, CFA or similar professional qualification advantageous
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial bid management, commercial project management, contract management or finance.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating customer contracts.
• Experience working with multinational and cross-border projects.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes advantageous.
• Experience in engineering, infrastructure, rail, energy, automation, or technology environments preferred.
• Contract Management
• Bid Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Project Finance
• FIDIC / NEC Contract Knowledge
• Governance & Compliance

Attributes and skills

• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Advanced analytical capability.
• Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Ability to manage complex commercial issues under pressure.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Our culture:

Our culture embraces different perspectives, open debate, and the will to challenge convention. Change is a constant aspect of our work. We aspire to lead the change in our industry rather than just react to it. That's why we invite you to take on new challenges, test your ideas, and celebrate success.

The company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets under the Employment Equity Act will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an equal opportunity employer we encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.