About the job
About First Mile
First Mile stands as a premier recycling and waste management provider in the UK, catering to over 30,000 businesses including renowned names like Pret A Manger, Netflix, and Zara. Our mission is to assist organizations in minimizing their environmental footprint via innovative waste and recycling solutions, seamlessly integrating operational efficiency with commercial adaptability and exceptional service quality.
Our clientele spans from independent eateries and retail shops to national hospitality chains, commercial estates, universities, and public sector entities. As environmental regulations tighten and sustainability emerges as a pivotal business focus, the demand for scalable, top-tier recycling solutions continues to escalate.
We are enhancing our commercial capabilities to attract larger, more intricate, multi-site clients across the UK.
The Role
This position emphasizes the acquisition and conversion of complex, high-value, and tender-driven opportunities. You will spearhead the commercial strategy for enterprise contracts, collaborating with diverse stakeholders both internally and externally to design, structure, and finalize contracts that are both operationally feasible and commercially sound.
Typical opportunities include:
- Contract values exceeding £100k
- Multi-site or national service coverage
- Tender-led or procurement-focused processes
- Cross-functional collaboration across operations, supply chain, and pricing
You will oversee the entire sales cycle, with a concentrated focus on deal strategy, bid quality, pricing discipline, and successful conversion, not merely on the volume of the pipeline.
Key Responsibilities
Win Complex New Business
- Identify, cultivate, and secure enterprise opportunities within multi-site and operational clients
- Establish relationships with senior stakeholders, including procurement, estates, operations, and facilities leadership
- Lead meetings, site visits, and commercial discussions with potential customers
- Craft customized solutions that align with client needs and operational realities
- Negotiate pricing, service structures, and contract terms to secure profitable agreements
Lead Bid & Tender Opportunities
- Own the commercial strategy for tender-led opportunities
- Collaborate with internal teams (bids, supply chain, operations) to produce high-quality submissions
- Ensure bids are structured, competitive, and meet customer evaluation criteria
- Prevent reactive, last-minute submissions through strategic planning and ownership
