A bid manager is a professional who oversees the process of an organization submitting a proposal, known as a bid, to win contracts. If you have a construction business then you are no doubt familiar with the bidding process. A bid manager plays a crucial role in helping businesses win contracts and projects.
Since the bidding process is the key to gaining clients and work, it is essential to make sure they are handled correctly. A bid manager will end up making your company a lot more money than if you didn’t have one. In this article, we will go over what a bid manager does so you can understand the importance of hiring one for your bidding strategy.
1 – Day-to-day operations
The daily life of a bid manager is varied and challenging. Each day, they balance multiple tasks, from overseeing bid preparations to making plans for future submissions. A typical day might start with reviewing the progress of current bids. This involves checking in with various team members who contribute different parts of the bid, like cost estimations or technical solutions.
Throughout the day, bid managers often find themselves in meetings. These can range from internal strategy sessions to discussions with potential clients. They need to be good at understanding and communicating complex information in these settings. This is when it helps to hire a bid manager since these complexities are difficult for people who don’t do this for a living.
For instance, a company like Thornton and Lowe do this routine every day. When you see how T&L explain what a framework agreement means, it shows their expertise and builds trust.
2 – The bid management process
The bid management process is a system for preparing and submitting proposals for contracts and projects. This process starts with the bid/no-bid decision, where the bid manager evaluates whether a particular bid is in the best interest of the company. This decision is based on factors like the likelihood of winning and the potential profitability.
Once a bid is deemed worth applying for, the preparation phase begins. This is where the bid manager coordinates with different departments to gather all necessary information. They ensure that the proposal addresses all the client’s requirements and sets their company apart from competitors. This stage involves detailed planning, writing, and reviewing of the bid document.
3 – Working with teams
A bid manager doesn’t work alone. Collaboration is an essential part of the job. Bid managers work closely with various departments such as sales, finance, marketing, and technical teams.
For instance, they might work with technical experts to understand the specifics of what they’re offering. This means that a bid manager needs to have excellent communication skills to ensure that all team members are on board with the bid’s objectives and deadlines.
Bid managers also often interact with clients to understand their needs and expectations. This involves not just listening and gathering information, but also building relationships. Trust and credibility are key here.