Tony Machin

Bid Coordinator

Please describe the work that you do.

My role is quite varied! I keep an eye on opportunities that are passed to the company, find out more about the work required and then report this information back to a company director in daily meetings. We then discuss these opportunities and make a decision as to whether we can help.

Once this has been done, it is my responsibility to make sure our ecologists are aware of the work needed and liaise to make sure all the relevant information is available for them to write a tender.

What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?

The role requires me to constantly adapt, which is part of the reason I enjoy the role so much! It has required me to build relationships with clients and our own ecologists in order to make sure we offer a professional yet pleasant experience. I am a ‘people person’ and this role gives me satisfaction by requiring me to work with so many people!

I am always struck by the knowledge our ecologists have, and I really enjoy learning new things when discussing tenders.

Dislikes? At peak season the number of opportunities significantly increases and thus the pressure mounts! I am lucky to be part of a great team and we can manage, and ultimately it means more opportunities to create lasting relationships both internally and externally.

What inspired you into this career?

Ecology was always something I was aware of, but I assumed due to my undergraduate degree being in History this would limit me ever really getting involved in a career-sense.

By chasing a genuine interest in Bidding, I managed to not only gain a job role I relished, but also in a field I find both fascinating and proud to be involved in.

Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?

Although I am early in my career, both having to learn a new job role within an industry I was new in I would consider really challenging!

Luckily the team and company as a whole have been extremely welcoming and have guided me when needed.

What education/training did you have?

As mentioned previously my education was in History rather than Ecology. Another aspect of my role is the availability of training modules. I am currently booked in to several training sessions about various types of Ecology/Animal Surveys.

This ad hoc training has really helped understand the ethos of what we do. Hopefully sooner rather than later I shall be joining someone in the field to help out!