Job Title: Bid Manager Location: Melksham, Wiltshire Business Unit: Team Wendy Purpose of Position: Reporting to the VP of Sales, the Bid Manager is responsible for leading the development, coordination, and submission of high-quality commercial proposals that support global business growth in the law enforcement and defense sector. This role is fully focused on end-to-end bid management, ensuring all proposals are compliant, competitive, and aligned with corporate strategy and customer requirements. The position is based in the UK and operates remotely in close coordination with the Cleveland-based commercial team. Success in this role requires deep experience with international government procurement processes, including defense acquisition regulations, public sector compliance, and security-sensitive contracting environments. Essential duties and/or Functions: Bid & Proposal Management - Lead the full lifecycle of bids and proposals, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, ITBs, and unsolicited submissions for global law enforcement and defense customers
- Conduct Bid/No-Bid assessments, ensuring strategic alignment, risk evaluation, and resource readiness
- Own the development of compliant, high-quality proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and evaluation criteria
- Manage internal review and approval processes, including coordination of executive sign-off where required
- Analyze tender documentation and translate requirements into structured, effective responses
- Plan and lead bid kick-offs, establishing timelines, deliverables, and clear ownership across stakeholders
- Coordinate cross-functional inputs from Legal, Finance, Product, and Sales to ensure complete and accurate submissions
- Oversee final proposal production, ensuring consistency, compliance, and on-time delivery
- Maintain bid schedules, ensuring strict adherence to all milestones and submission deadlines
- Lead post-submission reviews to capture lessons learned and improve win rates
Government & Defense Compliance - Ensure all bids comply with relevant international procurement regulations and frameworks, including:
- EU Public Procurement Directives
- NATO and multilateral procurement standards (e.g., UN, Interpol)
- Familiar with: Canadian PSPC / Controlled Goods Program; U.S. FAR/DFARS
- Partner with Legal to review contractual terms, identify risks (e.g., export controls, ITAR), and support negotiation positions
- Ensure proposals address technical, operational, and contractual requirements specific to defense and public safety customers
Bid Governance & Content - Maintain and continuously improve a centralized library of approved proposal content, including standard responses, certifications, and compliance documentation
- Drive consistency and quality across all bid submissions through standardized templates and best practices
- Support the continuous improvement of bid processes, tools, and governance to increase efficiency and win probability
Qualifications & Experience - Proven experience managing complex bids/proposals within defense, law enforcement, or government contracting environments
- Strong understanding of international procurement processes and compliance frameworks (FAR/DFARS, EU directives, NATO, etc.)
- Experience with structured bid methodologies and governance (including Bid/No-Bid and approval processes).
- Working proficiency in Shipley Associates capture planning and proposal writing would be desirable.
- Strong knowledge of commercial, legal, and financial considerations in public sector bids
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent bids in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments
- Excellent project management, organizational, and stakeholder coordination skills
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, compelling proposal content. English is a must; Spanish would be an asset.
- Experience working across global teams in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- Familiarity with proposal management tools and CRM systems is beneficial
Key Attributes - Highly detail-oriented with strong quality standards
- Structured and process-driven, with strong ownership of deadlines
- Effective communicator with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
- Adaptable and able to operate across time zones in a global organization
About Avon Technologies: We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world’s militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (“CBRN”), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Technologies and Team Wendy. Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe. At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute. The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Melksham, UK is £70,000 to £85,000 annually.
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