Bid Writer & Business Development Executive
Location: St Helens, Merseyside
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time or Part-time | Permanent (Flexible working considered)
Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Join a Growing Business with Big Ambitions
CFS Systems is a fast-growing Fire & Security company based in St Helens, delivering professional fire safety and electronic security solutions across the North West and throughout the UK.
Our services include Fire Alarms, CCTV, Access Control, Intruder Alarms, Emergency Lighting, Disabled Refuge Systems, Fire Extinguishers, Public Address Systems, Nurse Call Systems and Planned Preventative Maintenance.
We're proud of our reputation for quality, professionalism and outstanding customer service. As our business continues to grow year after year, we are investing in new people, systems and technology to support the next stage of our journey.
This is an exciting opportunity to join us as our first dedicated Bid Writer, helping to establish and develop our bid management function from the ground up.
This isn't just another administration role. You'll play a key part in securing new contracts, supporting business development and helping shape the future growth of CFS Systems.
Whether you're an experienced Bid Writer or someone with excellent writing, research and organisational skills looking to develop a career in bidding, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Role
As our Bid Writer, you'll be responsible for producing high-quality, compelling and compliant tender submissions that showcase the strengths of CFS Systems.
Working closely with our Directors, Commercial Team, Project Managers and Engineers, you'll gather information, write persuasive responses and coordinate submissions for a wide range of public and private sector opportunities.
Alongside bid writing, you'll help develop marketing materials, produce case studies, manage tender portals and continually improve our bidding processes.
This is a fantastic opportunity to build and shape a new department within a rapidly growing company, with genuine opportunities for career progression.
What You'll Be Doing
Bid & Tender Management
- Monitor tender portals daily for new opportunities.
- Identify suitable opportunities that align with our business strategy.
- Download and review tender documentation.
- Prepare bid plans and submission programmes.
- Coordinate information gathering across departments.
- Produce high-quality written responses.
- Complete PQQs, SQs, ITTs, RFIs and framework submissions.
- Ensure submissions are compliant with client requirements.
- Upload completed submissions via procurement portals.
- Maintain accurate submission records and deadline trackers.
- Ensure all bids are submitted before deadlines.
Bid Writing
- Produce engaging, persuasive and customer-focused responses.
- Tailor every submission specifically to each client's requirements.
- Translate technical information into clear, easy-to-understand language.
- Ensure consistency of tone, branding and presentation.
- Proofread all documents before submission.
- Maintain exceptional spelling, grammar and attention to detail.
- Create professional proposal documents and presentations.
Business Development Support
- Research prospective clients and markets.
- Produce capability statements and company profiles.
- Develop case studies showcasing completed projects.
- Create written content for the company website.
- Support LinkedIn and marketing content.
- Assist with award submissions.
- Produce presentation material for client meetings.
- Support commercial proposals and quotations.
Bid Library Development
You'll be responsible for creating and maintaining a central bid library including:
- Standard company information.
- Technical responses.
- Quality responses.
- Environmental responses.
- Social Value responses.
- Health & Safety information.
- Accreditations.
- Policies.
- CVs.
- Project case studies.
- Customer testimonials.
- Lessons learned.
- Frequently used answers.
This library will become one of the company's most valuable commercial assets.
Tender Portal Management
You'll maintain our presence across procurement portals including (where applicable):
- Contracts Finder
- Find a Tender
- Delta eSourcing
- Proactis
- In-Tend
- Constructionline
- CHAS
- SafeContractor
- Other customer procurement systems
You'll also ensure company information remains accurate and up to date across all platforms.
Continuous Improvement
We're looking for someone who enjoys improving processes.
You'll:
- Review unsuccessful tenders.
- Analyse feedback from clients.
- Identify trends in successful submissions.
- Improve templates.
- Develop new best-practice documents.
- Introduce efficiencies using AI and technology.
- Help increase our overall tender win rate.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months you will have:
- Established a professional bid management process.
- Developed a comprehensive bid library.
- Increased submission quality.
- Improved tender success rates.
- Built strong internal relationships.
- Enhanced our marketing material.
- Helped secure new business opportunities.
- Contributed towards the continued growth of CFS Systems.
About You
You'll be highly organised, motivated and enjoy producing professional written work.
You'll be comfortable managing multiple deadlines and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Most importantly, you'll enjoy helping businesses win work.
Skills & Experience
We're looking for someone with experience in some or all of the following:
- Bid writing.
- Tender submissions.
- Proposal writing.
- Grant applications.
- Technical writing.
- Business development support.
- Marketing content creation.
- Research and report writing.
- Copywriting.
- Editing and proofreading.
Experience within Fire & Security, Construction, Facilities Management, Mechanical & Electrical or Engineering would be advantageous but is not essential.
Essential Skills
- Excellent written English.
- Outstanding attention to detail.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Commercial awareness.
- Strong research skills.
- Analytical thinking.
- Positive and proactive attitude.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines.
Software Experience
Experience using some of the following would be beneficial:
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams
- Adobe Acrobat
- SharePoint
- Canva
- CRM systems
- Procurement portals
- AI tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot
Experience using AI to improve research, writing efficiency and document quality would be highly advantageous.
What We Offer
At CFS Systems, we recognise that our people are our greatest asset.
In return we offer:
- Competitive salary.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Full-time or part-time opportunities.
- Company pension.
- Free on-site parking.
- Company events.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Supportive management team.
- Modern office environment.
- Opportunity to help shape a growing department.
- Opportunity to work on exciting projects with a growing business.
Career Progression
This is much more than a Bid Writer role.
As CFS Systems continues to grow, there will be opportunities to progress into positions such as:
- Senior Bid Writer
- Bid Manager
- Commercial Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Marketing & Commercial Lead
We actively encourage personal development and will support the successful candidate in building a long-term career with us.
Why Join CFS Systems?
We're proud of our friendly, family-oriented culture where everyone has a voice.
We believe good ideas can come from anyone, and we're always looking for ways to improve.
If you're someone who enjoys making a difference, taking ownership of your work and helping build something exciting, you'll fit right in.
As our first dedicated Bid Writer, you'll have a genuine opportunity to shape how this area of the business develops, making a real impact on our future success.
Apply Today
If you're an organised, enthusiastic and motivated individual with a passion for writing, research and helping businesses win new opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're an experienced Bid Writer or looking to take the next step in your career, we'd welcome your application.
Join CFS Systems and help us secure the next chapter of our growth by sending in your CV.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract, Temp to perm
Pay: £32,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Technical Writing: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
