Tender Lead/Manager

Tender Manager / Lead (B2G)

Department: Tender

Location: Chennai

Experience Required: Minimum 2 to 5 years

Industry: Water, Sewerage, and Smart City Infrastructure Projects

About Us:

Solinas, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras, is Indias pioneering asset management venture transforming the water and sanitation sector. Recognized and commended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Solinas is on a mission to tackle pressing challenges such as manual scavenging, water accessibility, and the prevention of floods and sewer overflows. At the core of our vision lies a commitment to developing homegrown, affordable robotics and AI solutions for pipeline inspections, manhole and septic tank cleaning, and underground asset management.

Since 2018, we have transformed operations across 30+ cities, earning accolades such as Best On-Campus Startup by the Economic Times, an appearance on Shark Tank India, and partnerships with industry leaders like Ashirvad Pipes and The/Nudge Institute. On the global stage, Solinas has been named Best Southeast Asian Startup by Imagine H2O a testament to our innovation, impact, and purpose-driven growth.

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented B2G Tender Manager to lead and manage end-to-end tendering operations for government and private sector projects. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth working knowledge of municipal procurement regulations, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and other government e-procurement platforms. This role involves extensive experience in preparing tenders under QCBS evaluation and L1 bids, ensuring complete documentation and compliance. Strong coordination, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills are essential for securing competitive and compliant bid submissions that align with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Tender Management & Strategy Development

Manage the full lifecycle of tender submissions, including planning, documentation, pricing, compliance, and follow-up.

Analyze tender documents and identify key compliance and technical requirements.

Lead risk tracking and mitigation strategies throughout the bid process.

Track and monitor new tender opportunities daily across relevant procurement portals and tender research platforms (GeM, Govt. e-tender portals, Tender Tiger, TendersOnTime, etc.).

Serve as the primary point of contact for tender-related queries and clarifications.

Coordinate with Regional Sales Heads to define win strategies and ensure proposals reflect compelling value propositions.

Formulate competitive and compliant bid strategies aligned with client needs and company objectives.

Draft and format QCBS-based tenders and L1 cost-based bids per government standards.

Documentation, Coordination & Compliance

Prepare and submit technical and financial proposals in response to RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, NITs, and EOIs.

Plan and coordinate pre-bid meetings and manage all related correspondence.

Develop detailed cost estimates, timelines, and resource allocation plans for bid submissions.

Coordinate with internal teams (Sales, Finance, Legal, Technical, Marketing) to gather inputs for proposals.

Support contract negotiation and award processes post-bid success.

Maintain comprehensive documentation and a structured database of all bid submissions and outcomes.

Oversee vendor registration and contractor empanelment processes.

Stay current with industry developments, procurement policies, and competitive activity to inform strategy.

Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, commercial, and regulatory requirements throughout the tendering process.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Minimum 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience in managing government tenders, particularly in Water, Sewerage, or Smart City domains.

Strong knowledge of QCBS and L1 evaluation methods.

High Proficiency in managing GeM and other government e-procurement portals.

High proficiency in MS Excel, including costing templates and bid sheet preparation.

Demonstrated experience in drafting and managing large, complex bid documents.

Strong process orientation with keen attention to compliance and documentation standards. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Sound understanding of risk assessment, pricing models, and commercial terms.

Proven ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.

Familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to government contracting and procurement.

Preferred Attributes:

Experience working with Water and Sanitation projects, Smart City project frameworks, or Public-Private Partnership Models.

Familiarity with government procurement policies, contract terms, and bid evaluation frameworks

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Strong documentation and record-keeping practices for compliance readiness.

Ability to work collaboratively across various functional teams in a deadline-driven environment.

Strategic mindset toward identifying new business opportunities and implementing continuous improvement in tender processes.

Working knowledge of Hindi (read, write, and speak) is an added advantage, though not mandatory.