Bid Solutions Specialist - Operations

Shape the Future of Sustainable Transport with First Bus

The UK's bus industry is evolving, and First Bus is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. As franchising and contract-based services become more prominent, we're embracing the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable transport in partnership with local authorities and key stakeholders.

The Role

We're looking for a Bid Solutions Specialist (Operations) to join our Growth team. In this role, will work with colleagues across the bid team and wider business to develop solutions that form part of tender bids. This is a remote role with UK travel required.

The Team

You will be joining a team of SME's that are shaping the future of bus travel. We are at the forefront of solution development, liaising with industry experts and internal teams to ensure best in class solutions.

What you'll do

• Accountable for ensuring that bid solutions align client requirements with First Bus ‘operational excellence' framework and operational SOPs
• For any given bid, ensure that the proposed solution maximises the opportunity to meet and exceed client KPI requirements while delivering best possible operational efficiency and minimising cost
• Work closely with HR Specialist to ensure that staff training and welfare solutions align with client requirements and optimise service delivery
• Maintain awareness of best practice in operational management, learning from ourselves and peers within the bus sector but also looking across adjacent sectors (eg logistics, rail, parcels) to see where lessons can be learned for the benefit of improved solutions
• Documenting, projecting and understanding how the operations strategy and solution interacts with the incentive and penalty regimes proposed by clients
• Understanding the commercials surrounding the bid solution (e.g. the trade off between quality and cost / price of the solution)
• Assess the operational impacts of the bid solutions for input into bid financial model for financial appraisal
• Work closely with the Mobilisations Director to support the development of the transition and mobilisation plan

What we're looking for

• Experienced practitioner in operational management
• Fully familiar with relevant legislation
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departmental boundaries
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with external parties (eg suppliers, clients, stakeholders)
• Ability to quickly and accurately digest large, complex tender documents
• Structured, methodical approach
• Ability to stay calm and focussed under pressure, especially approaching deadlines
• Analytical skills to be able to process, blend and challenge data from multiple sources, determine trends and identify key findings
• Curiosity to broaden understanding and constructively challenge inputs
• Presentational skills to concisely summarise and articulate complex solutions
• Ability to work in an open, positive and harmonious manner within a small team
• Self-sufficient and values driven – able to progress tasks with minimal direction

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
• Holiday buy/sell scheme
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• 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.