Bid Coordinator

Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Certain Advantage
World Class Defence Organisation based in Stevenage (the role can be a split of working Onsite and Working From Home) is currently looking to recruit a Bid Coordinator on an initial 6 month contract, with very high prospect of extension. This role would suit a candidate who comes from a strong background of working as a Bid Coordinator, Bid Manager, Bid Specialist or Bid Writer. An Engineering background would be great. A background of working in the Defence or Aerospace industry would be great. Rate: £50 per hourOvertime Rate: Hours worked over 37 hours per week will be calculated at ‘time and a quarter’Location: Stevenage Hybrid / Remote working: This role will be 2 or 3 days per week onsite. Duration: 6 Months with very likely prospect of extension. Contracts are often ongoing and long-term. IR35 status: Inside IR35 (Umbrella)Interview process: One stage video interviewBid Coordinator Job Description:The Test Equipment New Business Support (TE NBS) role will form part of a small team working within an international ‘Test Equipment Design/delivery’ function, developing test solutions for domestic/internal and export customers. The UK test equipment team works very closely with international colleagues in France.Responsibilities:The purpose of this role is to support the Test Equipment bidding team to produce technical costed proposals for all the UK delivered test solutions, for Development, Production and Export.This includes liaising with the design/technical teams and ‘subject matter experts’ to provide technical costed proposals to the UK programs, ensuring consistency and delivery on-time. This role will support multi-programme demands ensuring we meet the bid delivery timescales and programme objectives.This role has responsibility to ensure contribution to the growing team delivery of these bids on-time, on-quality and on-cost to meet the programme needs.

• Generation and compilation of UK bid costs from multi-disciplined areas of the business (including an international supplied cost-base). Subsequent generation of the technical costed proposals and where required presentation to the UK programs.
• Accountability for ensuring the UK bid team make quick, informed decisions and taking initiative in the face of evolving project requirements and unexpected disruptions.
• Working as part of the small UK team, taking direction from the New Business Manager, to generate the cost data and subsequent presentation material,
• Manage the configuration control of the bidding data, with data entry into the Data Management Systems tools (Matrix, JIRA, Primavera etc. – all training to be provided).
• Maintain cross-functional alignment – acting as a bridge between internal customers to Hardware Design, Software Design, Procurement, Quality, manufacturing etc. to keep workflows co-ordinated and avoid bottlenecks.
• Maintain positive working relationships with Key Interfaces & stakeholders and to promote the Test Equipment function. Engage with, manage and motivate all interfaces, both programs, peers and subject matter experts for successful outcomes.
• Manage the achievement of schedule adherence and delivery of (Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through the execution of the bidding/planning process.
• Provide advice and support to test equipment and program teams and stakeholders, detailing best practice
• Identifying and supporting opportunities for improvement.
• Generating and developing documentation, reports, plans and communications. Delivery, presentation and reporting to an International test equipment leadership team.
• Promote and support the international Test Equipment Centre of Excellence (TE CofEx).

Key Performance Indicators

• Managing the compilation of multiple bid deliveries to programs, OT, OC, OQ.
• Working to company processes ensuring configuration control and data management using IT tools/systems.
• Maintaining positive working relationships with Key program interfaces, stakeholders, and Test Equipment leadership teams
• Balancing Short term delivery deadlines with long term strategic goals

Skillset/experience required:

• Compilation of bid data sourced from technical subject matter experts into standardised bid pro forma.
• Ability to communicate with different areas and levels of the business.Liaising and interfacing with the bid requesting customers (internal programs), technical teams, subject matter experts, and test equipment leadership teams.
• Use of common office tools (Excel, Word. PowerPoint etc.)
• Experience within an engineering discipline and knowledge of a product ‘through life’ design life-cycle (concept, development, Integration & validation, delivery, support etc.) ideal but not essential

Primavera experience ideal but not essential.Ability to work at the Stevenage site (flexible dynamic working arrangements available with ‘Working from Home’ part time option, preferably with 2-3 days minimum a week on-site at Stevenage (more initially to facilitate training etc.).Flexibility to support occasional short term travel (1 or 2 nights), with ability to support at other company site visits at Bolton UK and Paris France, should a need arise.Some international travel to France may be required – the ability to speak French is not essential.Training on bidding process and IT tools will be provided as needed