Senior Bid Manager (m/w/d)

About the Role

Effective proposals require more than just good timing. Complex tenders involve multiple elements: customer requirements, technical solutions, delivery, cost calculations, contracts, and numerous stakeholders. As a Bid Manager, you coordinate these elements into a proposal that is technically sound and financially viable.

You will manage the entire bid process from the initial opportunity to handover to delivery. Your critical questions will include: What does the customer need? What can we deliver? Which solution fits both technically and commercially?

Collaboration with Sales, Solution Architects, Delivery, and various departments is key. The focus is on Managed Services related to Cloud, SAP, and Infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex tender and proposal processes from opportunity qualification to delivery handover, ensuring deadlines, content, responsibilities, and quality are maintained.
• Analyze tender documents and customer requirements thoroughly to clarify the true customer needs and identify the appropriate solution.
• Develop offer and solution strategies in partnership with Sales, Solution Architects, and Delivery teams, harmonizing diverse viewpoints into a coherent proposal.
• Evaluate cost calculations, assumptions, and contractual frameworks to ensure alignment between solution, delivery model, and commercial goals.
• Identify risks, conflicting objectives, and open financial issues early, making them transparent and guiding stakeholders toward sound decisions.
• Support sales with compelling offer strategies, clearly presenting technical and commercial strengths throughout proposal and negotiation stages.
• Ensure accurate and transparent handover of commitments, assumptions, and financial terms to delivery after contract award, continuously improving processes based on insights from successful and unsuccessful bids.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Several years of experience managing complex bids, tender, and negotiation processes, ideally in IT or managed services sectors.
• Strong project management skills including process control, prioritization, and coordination with multiple participants under tight deadlines.
• Good understanding of managed services, service scope, service levels, resources, operations, and associated financial aspects.
• Basic knowledge of modern IT infrastructures, preferably with experience in Cloud, SAP, and infrastructure environments.
• Confident handling of cost calculations, business cases, and economic questions.
• Excellent communication skills to interact professionally with Sales, Technical, Delivery, Management teams, and customers, capable of integrating diverse viewpoints.
• Customer- and solution-focused mindset, able to interpret customer needs into appropriate solutions and persuasive arguments.
• Entrepreneurial thinking, accountable for opportunity quality and profitability with an eye on customer value, delivery capability, and strategic alignment.
• Fluent in German and English, both spoken and written.

Personal Attributes

• Structured approach to handling multiple topics, tight schedules, and diverse stakeholders without losing focus.
• Reliable and clear in communication, proactively addressing open issues and ensuring responsibilities are assigned appropriately.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a perspective that goes beyond single offers, considering customer value, delivery, and profitability collectively.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements including remote, hybrid, or office options combined with flexible hours, based on trust.
• Monthly funds for extras such as company bike, public transit ticket, fitness programs, or capital-forming benefits.
• 30 days annual leave plus Christmas and New Year's holidays; options for workations and sabbaticals.
• Support for personal financial security through company pension schemes with a 25% employer contribution.

Additional Information

If you feel you do not meet all requirements, please feel free to reach out for an informal discussion to explore your fit for the role.