Bid Manager

Location: ON SITE - Loanhead, Edinburgh
Flexible Working Options – 4- or 5-day week

Join our management team! - Bid Manager

About Us

At MacTaggart Scott, we’ve been engineering innovative solutions for the Naval Defence industry since 1898. We deliver end-to-end support from design and manufacture to commissioning and life-cycle management for some of the UK’s most complex defence programmes. We’re proud of our heritage but focused on the future. Continuous improvement, innovation, and developing our people are at the heart of everything we do.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Bid Manager to join our Proposals and Commercial team in Loanhead. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, motivated professional to take ownership of the end-to-end bid process for complex engineering projects. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, develop winning bid strategies, and deliver high-quality proposals that strengthen customer relationships and secure new business.

You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise is valued, and your career can grow within the business. This full-time role runs Monday to Thursday or Monday to Friday depending on preference, with flexibility to meet business needs. The role may involve occasional UK and international travel, and requires applicants to hold or be eligible for the appropriate security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

As a Bid Manager, you will take ownership of the end-to-end bid process, ensuring high-quality, compliant proposals are delivered on time and aligned with customer requirements. Key responsibilities include:

• Proposal Management:
Lead the preparation, coordination, and submission of proposals and tenders for complex engineering projects. Ensure deadlines are met and that proposals meet both customer and internal standards.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with technical, commercial, quality, and operations teams to gather the information needed for proposals. Ensure technical and financial details are accurate, aligned, and presented clearly.

• Client Engagement:
Act as the primary point of contact for proposal-related queries from both internal stakeholders and clients. Support relationship-building through proactive communication, follow-ups, and effective stakeholder management.

• Proposal Strategy & Writing:
Develop winning proposal strategies in partnership with the Business Development team, highlighting key differentiators and value propositions. Write, review, and edit proposal content to ensure clarity, quality, and consistency.

• Ownership of Cost Estimates:
Collaborate with estimating teams to produce competitive pricing, accurate cost breakdowns, and margin targets that support business objectives.

• Compliance and Quality Assurance:
Ensure all proposals comply with internal governance, legal, contractual, and company standards. Review submissions for quality, consistency, and professional presentation. Present proposal summaries to Senior Management through the gated review process.

• Market Analysis:
Support the Business Development team by monitoring industry trends, competitor activity, and customer requirements to continuously improve proposals and commercial performance.

• Reporting & Continuous Improvement:
Provide regular updates to senior management on proposal progress, including win/loss analysis and lessons learned for ongoing improvement of processes and outcomes.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Strong communication and influencing skills and able to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven experience in bid or proposal management within an engineering or technical environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines.
• Numerate, detail-oriented, and confident using Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Word).
• Proactive and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Membership of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) or similar body.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Awareness of commercial terms and conditions.
• Further education qualification in a Technical or Business discipline.

Benefits

Your future And What We Offer:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours (Mon-Thurs 07:00–19:15 with core hours 09:30–15:30, Friday 07:00–16:00 with core hours 09:30–12:00), allowing you to fit work around your life.
• Leave Entitlements: Inclusive annual leave, paid parental leave, military reservist leave, annual leave buy and sell, and more.
• Career Development: Supportive environment with a dedicated Learning & Development team and clear pathways to grow your career.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to our comprehensive wellbeing programme, Employee Assistance Programme, onsite nurse, and life insurance.
• Health & Protection: Sick pay, free flu vaccinations, and comprehensive health & wellbeing initiatives.
• Onsite Facilities: Canteen, free parking, and cycle-to-work scheme for convenience.
• Financial Benefits: Generous company pension plan and exclusive employee discounts.