Bid Specialist in UK

Position Title: Bid Solutions Specialist (Network)

Reports to: Bid Solutions Lead

Location: Hybrid, with frequent travel across the UK

Position Summary

As reform of the UK local bus market gathers momentum, large scale franchise and B2B contracts are likely to form an increasing proportion of the First Bus business. To maximise our win rate for such contracts, our bid team will need to produce creative, efficient and compelling tender bids.

Working as part of this team, this role will focus on designing routes, timetables and schedules that comply with and exceed client requirements, while maximising the commercial value of the bid.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• For emerging tender opportunities, quickly develop a clear and detailed understanding of client requirements
• Model existing provision and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement
• Understand the likely competition, including SWOT analysis, to be able to contribute to defining the win strategy
• Create compliant, efficient routes, timetables and schedules that fully satisfy tender specifications, balancing efficiency with operational robustness
• Identify associated resource requirements and ensure clear and timely communication to Finance colleagues for costing purposes
• Clearly and concisely summarise proposed solutions, both verbally and in writing, to enable preparation of written technical submissions
• Provide critical analysis of draft bid submissions to ensure they effectively describe our solutions, finding an appropriate balance between technical language and ‘plain English', to ensure we maximise technical quality scores
• For identified potential future opportunities, analyse and process data from relevant sources (e.g. ABODS) to build a picture of existing network performance in targeted regions/networks
• Model and test potential solutions that can drive performance at specified thresholds, and identify the varying associated resource implications
• Keep abreast of evolving industry-wide best practice in scheduling, route planning and network design, providing reports and recommendations internally to ensure the wider bid team remains at the forefront of innovation
• Form a strong relationship with network and scheduling colleagues in mainstream First Bus commercial team, ensuring the regular exchange of performance data and case studies to enrich bid submissions
• For successful bids, work as part of (or provide any required support to) the mobilisation team to ensure tender assumptions transition smoothly into ‘real world' application
• Contribute to wider solution design as part of a collaborative bid team

Skills, Experience and Leadership behaviours required

Skills / Experience

• Experienced scheduler with proven success in large, complex operations
• Accustomed to computerised scheduling
• Accomplished user of existing First Bus systems (notably Optibus and Prospective), or adept at learning quickly
• Ability to quickly and accurately digest large, complex tender documents
• Structured, methodical approach to ensure compliance with detailed technical requirements
• Ability to stay calm and focussed under pressure, especially approaching deadlines
• Analytical skills to be able to process and blend data from multiple sources, determine trends and identify key findings
• Presentational skills to be able to concisely summarise and articulate complex solutions
• Ability to work in an open, positive and harmonious manner within a small team
• Self-sufficient, down to earth and values driven – able to progress tasks with minimal direction

Leadership behaviours / competencies

• Always care: show warmth and compassion; be fair and respectful; listen intently to others and interpret findings to support business improvement; always think about your customer
• Do what's right: have a can-do attitude; be open and explain the “why”; do what you say you will; do the best you can, every chance you get; challenge behaviours when necessary across all levels of the business
• Succeed together: work across teams and learn from each other; be supportive of other views and ideas; offer up your knowledge and experience; recognise others; share everyday successes
• Shape the future: see possibilities, not problems; explore ideas big and small; be considerate of others when making decisions; never stop learning and improving

Key Performance Indicators

• Contract win rate
• Contract quality scores
• Confidence of bid team colleagues

Rewards & Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Please apply now. We look forward to receiving your application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.