BID Manager
Position Overview:
To lead and manage the bid and quotation function within Cicor Newport Limited (EMS), ensuring the delivery of timely, accurate and commercially robust quotations for new and existing customers.
The role is responsible for coordinating cross-functional inputs (engineering, supply chain, operations and quality), generating full costed build proposals (BOM, labour, overheads, NRE and CAPEX), and ensuring a controlled handover into New Product Introduction (NPI).
The Bid Team Manager owns the quotation process performance — including accuracy, cycle time, risk identification and conversion support — and drives continuous improvement of systems, standards and procedures, including the use of data analytics and reporting tools.
Key Responsibilities:
Bid & Quotation Leadership
- Lead and co-ordinate the bid/quotation and documentation control teams
- Deliver accurate and timely quotations for existing and prospective customers
- Manage quotation workload planning and prioritisation aligned to business strategy
- Oversee review and approval of all bids prior to submission
- Ensure quotation work packages are complete, risk-reviewed and commercially viable
- Interface directly with customers regarding technical and commercial quotation queries
Costing & Commercial Accountability
- Generate full cost models including:
- Labour standards
- Material and supply chain pricing
- Tooling and fixtures
- NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering)
- CAPEX requirements
- Subcontract services if required
- Validate BOM structures and manufacturing assumptions with engineering and operations
- Analyse variance between quoted and actual build costs and feed learning back into standards
- Support strategic pricing decisions with commercial management
Data, Systems & Reporting
- Manipulate and analyse large BOM and pricing datasets to support accurate costing
- Develop and maintain quotation tracking and performance reporting dashboards
- Utilise Power BI (or equivalent BI tools) to report quotation metrics, win rates and margin performance
- Create and maintain Excel-based estimating tools, including use of macros and advanced formulae
- Perform structured data extraction from ERP/CRM systems
- Liaise with IT to improve system integration and automation within the quotation process
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead cross-departmental activities to meet submission deadlines
- Coordinate multi-site or group quotation activity where required
- Run major RFQ kick-off meetings with Program Managers, Engineering and Supply Chain
- Manage customer expectations and communication during the bid process
- Support sales and account managers in opportunity qualification
NPI & Operational Handover
- Work in coordination with the Programme Manager (PM) to manage controlled transition from bid stage into New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Ensure manufacturing readiness assumptions are documented and understood
- Provide documentation packages required by project teams
Manufacturing & Commercial Risk Review
- Identify technical and supply chain risks within RFQs
- Assess manufacturability and cost exposure
- Escalate high-risk opportunities
- Support bid/no-bid decisions
Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and maintain quotation procedures, tools and work instructions
- Drive improvements in quote accuracy, cycle time and process efficiency
- Develop quotation metrics (turnaround time, win rate, margin accuracy)
- Improve ERP/CRM integration and data usage within the quoting process
People Management
- Responsible for recruitment, development and performance management of the team
- Conduct appraisals and training plans in liaison with HR
- Provide coaching and technical support to quotation engineers
- Address performance and disciplinary matters at appropriate level
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with company quality, H&S and ethical standards
- Promote safe working practices and adherence to company codes of conduct
- Maintain auditable records of quotation decisions and approvals
This list of duties & responsibilities is not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks performed. Other associated tasks are likely to be performed as directed by the relevant Manager.
Competency
- Commercial judgement and financial awareness
- Structured problem solving
- Decision-making under time pressure
- Stakeholder management
- Negotiation and influencing
- Process discipline and governance
- Analytical thinking and data interpretation
- Systems and reporting tool ownership
Qualifications/Skills/Personal Qualities – CORE
- • 5+ years’ electronics manufacturing / contract manufacturing
- Proven experience in quotation, estimating, cost engineering or bid management
- Strong leadership and team management capability
- Excellent communication skills at technical and commercial levels
- Ability to work to aggressive RFQ deadlines
- Strong analytical and numerical capability
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulae, data manipulation)
- Knowledge of Valor and BOM Connector Software packages
- Experience interpreting and analysing structured data sets (BOMs, cost data, pricing)
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Commercially astute and customer-focused
- Highly organised with effective time management
- Proactive, self-motivated and able to use initiative
Qualifications/Skills/Personal Qualities – DESIRABLE
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business or equivalent industry experience
- An understanding of Power BI dashboard creation and reporting capability
- Knowledge of Excel macros / VBA or equivalent automation tools
- Basic database or query knowledge (e.g., SQL queries, data extraction, table relationships)
- Understanding assembly and box-build manufacturing processes
- Experience of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Epicor, IFS)
- Experience using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
- Experience supporting defence, aerospace, medical or industrial customers
- Security clearance eligibility advantageous
- Lean / Continuous Improvement experience
Please submit your CV to marta.williams@noSpamcicor.com
Please note that we are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Candidates must ensure they have appropriate right to work in the UK before application.
