TITLE: BID MANAGER
LOCATION: NEW JERSEY
The Bid Manager is responsible for both overseeing and actively leading the sourcing, pursuing and growth of bids and other contracted opportunities supporting foodservice operations with State and Federal government agencies, schools, military and other relevant institutional customers who participate in foodservice bid activity. Primary roles and responsibilities will include sourcing available bids, developing a database of current and potential bid clients, activity and results, preparing and coordinating bids and maintaining contracts, working with procurement to research both products and supply sources, negotiating and soliciting fixed bid pricing and, most importantly, capturing and maintaining multi-million dollar bid contracts. The Bid Manager will manage awarded bids and communicate with procurement and logistics for on-time performance and guarantee timely distribution at correct bid pricing for customers. The Bid Manager will report directly to the CEO and work closely with sales, procurement and logistics personnel.
The Company, (Client) LLC is an Edison, NJ-based specialty distributor of non-perishable food and beverage products to hundreds of customers across the U.S. Operating for over 30 years, the Company serves independent restaurant / foodservice distributors and institutional foodservice customers such as schools and prisons. The Company’s sales consist primarily of non-perishable, shelf-stable food and beverage products and consist of Company-branded and/or private label import goods, packaged spices and a highly diverse base of domestic, third-party branded products. Today, the Company distributes products for restaurant and foodservice purposes only and not for grocery or retail consumption. The Company is private-equity backed and anticipates strong growth over the next several years through both organic initiatives, including new products and geographic expansion, as well as through acquisitions. 2018 revenue was approximately $135 million.
Core Competencies
- Experience in food industry is a must, with preference for foodservice understanding across both domestic and imported products
- Knowledge of or direct experience with purchasing and procurement
- Highly competent at managing / mentoring direct reports and working autonomously and/or with little oversight
- Eager and driven to pursue sales opportunities and build/expand a division for the Company
- Demonstrated financial acumen to ensure the profitability of successful bids
- Ability to read and comprehend contractual language; ability to comprehend reports and use information for analysis
- Comfort in entrepreneurial environment
- Strong communication (written and verbal) skills with customers, vendors and colleagues
- Analytical and detail-oriented
- Proactive communicator and quality / service-oriented
- Creative and innovator thinker and problem solver
- Accountable and dependable
- Ethical and hard working
Job Duties
- Oversee and lead sourcing, tabulation, execution and management of bids / contracts o Work closely with Company personnel to establish bid pricing, purchasing/procurement and successful delivery of required products
- Review bid / contract for requirements, terms, conditions, effective period and other pertinent data
- Break down items by vendor (for soliciting special pricing, if needed)
- Work with purchasing and other personnel to verify completeness of contract
- Prepare final contract for submission
- Monitor expiration dates for each bid contract
- Provide Company with financial insights and analysis pertaining to bid accounts
- Leverage network within industry to gain information about potential bid opportunities
- Develop and maintain database of bid analytics to refine competitiveness on future bid opportunities
- Provide pricing, maintain customer communications and resolve customer information requests on active bids
- Work diligently to gain new business and renew current business under bids / contracts
- Manage weekly status / tracking reports inclusive of forward bid sales opportunity pipeline and probability
- Represent the Company in a positive manner to customers and other contacts while conducting business
- Develop, maintain and utilize a wide network of external data resources, including bid websites and repositories, industry contacts, trade associations (where relevant), customers, competitors and suppliers
- Problem-solve and communicate independently across the organization
- Comply with policies, procedures and pricing guidelines
Minimum Requirements / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or Hospitality, or equivalent related experience
- Prior bid experience, ideally in a managerial capacity
- 3+ years prior Food/Foodservice experience, including familiarity with foodservice costing, pricing terms, shipping terms, supply chains and other relevant programs
- Success in nurturing and developing business within Foodservice
- Demonstrated analytical skills and data analysis capabilities
- Strong computer, communication and presentation skills with an ability to work cross-functionally
- Good writing and problem-solving skills
- Proven leadership ability
- Ability to work diligently and adhere to strict deadlines in an organized and detail-oriented fashion
- A positive attitude and a results-based philosophy
