Senior Consultant, Bidding

Job Description

The Senior Consultant, Bidding role determines and provides cost details for RFQs or expanded project work
with a focus on achieving the best possible rates available based on project requirements and within necessary timelines. This role engages with internal and external business partners to clarify client requirements and Request for Quotation (RFQ) specifications. The Senior Consultant is responsible for ensuring that internal documentation, processes, and systems are updated on time and accurately.

The Senior Consultant, Bidding is responsible for providing accurate, competitive, and timely costing for all
RFQs end-to-end, coordinating with internal operations teams and external vendors, and ensuring all
quotations align with project specifications, financial targets, and service level agreements (SLAs).

The role plays a critical part in winning business while maintaining cost discipline and operational
feasibility. The role tracks and updates the quotation costs within timelines to support changes in
project specification. It also reviews and alerts the Vendor Management team to capacity or delivery
concerns and partner on sourcing opportunities.

• Manage end-to-end RFQ and bidding activities for assigned markets, clusters, or regions.
• Prepare accurate and timely project cost estimates based on study specifications, methodologies, timelines, and sample requirements.
• Apply creativity and problem-solving to manage complex RFQs, including studies with hard-toreach target audiences.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, CS Consulting, Project Management, Operations, Vendor Management, and Product teams to clarify scope, feasibility, and assumptions.
• Engage directly with vendors and field partners to obtain competitive pricing and validate capacity and delivery timelines.
• Ensure all bids comply with rate cards, pricing guidelines, and internal approval processes.
• Track and update cost revisions resulting from scope changes and communicate impacts clearly to stakeholders.
• Monitor bid turnaround times and ensure adherence to agreed SLAs.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying cost optimization opportunities and recommending smarter study designs where applicable.
• Maintain accurate documentation in internal costing and quotation systems.
• Support post-bid analysis, including win/loss insights, pricing benchmarks, and variance analysis.
• Escalate capacity, feasibility, or delivery risks early and proactively propose solutions.

Qualifications

You are flexible and easily adapt in a dynamic work environment. You have a can-do attitude; you are
self-motivated and can tell a story using data. Curiosity, communication, and critical thinking drive your
work. You are creative in leveraging existing data sources to answer tough questions. You work
collaboratively and are part of a team within a dynamic and challenging environment, while
maintaining high standards.

• Experience in bidding, quotation, costing, or commercial operations (preferably within Market Research or Professional Services).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with costing/RFQ systems is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Chinese
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret complex project specifications and translate them into clear costing assumptions and structures.
• Confident stakeholder management skills; able to collaborate across Sales, Consulting, Project Management, Operations, and Product teams.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills when working with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent time management; able to manage multiple bids under tight deadlines and SLA requirements.
• Commercial mindset with focus on profitability, quality, and feasibility.
• Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies is an advantage.
• Experience working with vendors or third-party partners is a plus.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion