Trainee Bid Coordinator

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

Kickstart Your Career with MacTaggart Scott! - Trainee Bid Coordinator

At MacTaggart Scott, we’ve been engineering innovative solutions for the Naval Defence industry since 1898. From design and manufacture to commissioning and life-cycle support, we deliver end-to-end solutions for some of the UK’s most complex defence programmes. While we’re proud of our heritage, we’re equally focused on the future continually improving, innovating, and developing our people is at the heart of everything we do.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Trainee Bid Coordinator to join our Proposals and Commercial team in Loanhead. This role is ideal for someone looking to start a career in bid management, gain practical experience in the defence sector, and develop into a fully qualified Bid Coordinator. You will be trained to manage the bid process, work with cross-functional teams, and contribute to high-quality proposals that help win new business.

You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your ideas are valued, and your career can grow. 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 Details:

• Full-time, Monday to Thursday or Monday to Friday (flexible to suit your needs)
• Occasional UK and international travel may be required
• Applicants must hold or be eligible for the appropriate security clearance

What You’ll Learn and Be Responsible For

As a Trainee Bid Coordinator, you’ll receive training and hands-on experience across all stages of the bid process. You’ll gradually take ownership of key areas, working closely with multiple teams and helping to deliver high-quality proposals that make a real impact.

1. Proposal Management

• Support and eventually lead the preparation and submission of compliant, high-quality proposals and tenders.
• Ensure deadlines are met and proposals meet customer requirements.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with technical, commercial, quality, and operations teams to gather the information needed for proposals.
• Ensure all technical and financial details are accurate and aligned across departments.

3. Client Engagement

• Act as a point of contact for proposal-related queries from internal teams and clients.
• Support relationship-building through proactive communication and follow-ups.

4. Proposal Strategy & Writing

• Contribute to developing a winning proposal strategy with the Business Development team, highlighting key differentiators and value propositions.
• Write and edit proposal content clearly and consistently.

5. Cost Estimation Support

• Collaborate with estimating teams to ensure proposals include competitive pricing, accurate cost breakdowns, and appropriate margin targets.

6. Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure proposals comply with internal governance, legal, contractual, and company standards.
• Check proposals for quality, consistency, and professional presentation.
• Present summaries to Senior Management as part of the gated review process.

7. Market Awareness

• Support the Business Development team by keeping up to date with industry trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to help improve future proposals.

8. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Provide updates to senior management on proposal progress and outcomes.
• Capture lessons learned to improve future bids and processes.

Requirements

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Organised, detail-oriented, and motivated to learn.
• Strong communication skills and confident interacting with multiple stakeholders.
• Able to manage deadlines and prioritise tasks effectively.
• Confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proactive and enthusiastic about developing a career in bid management.

Desirable

• Some experience in proposal or project coordination within an engineering or technical environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Awareness of commercial terms and conditions.
• Further education qualification in a Technical or Business discipline.

Benefits

Benefits

Your future And What We Offer:

• 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.

If you’re enthusiastic, organised, and ready to start an exciting career in Bids & Proposals, we’d love to hear from you!