POSITION SUMMARY
Achieve gross margin and profit goals by growing clients and ensuring estimates meet targets. Maximize customer satisfaction by ensuring estimates are accurate and submitted on time and that good relationships are maintained. Build, lead and develop the Estimating team with timely, high-quality hires, communicating priorities, training, and coaching. Ensure Estimating Department is efficient and accurate. Evaluate and decide regarding project billing opportunities.
HIGH PAYOFF ACTIVITES
Achieve Gross Margin and Profit Goals.
- Conduct precise material takeoffs to ensure accurate cost estimations
- Work with BD to follow up and ensure client satisfaction
- Ensure bids are accurate and return percentages are achievable.
- Use recap sheet and peer review, identifying cost center, potential risks, potential labor productivity rates that could affect the outcome
- Identify if sufficient contingencies are included to cover unexpected costs
- Consider whether the construction schedule is feasible for completion of scope of work
- Attend weekly Estimating Team meetings and actively participate
Maximize Customer Satisfaction
- Engaging with clients to understand their needs and expectations, fostering strong relationships for future projects, continue to develop existing relationships.
- Provide value to customers by recommending alternative methods.
- Work closely with PM, PE, engineers, and architects to gather and clarify project requirements
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors to secure favorable pricing and terms.
- Retain Current Client Relationships, i.e. client facing lunches, site visits, job walks, and timely response to questions or concerns.
Assist Development of Estimating Team
- Work with WFD to develop, create and implement new training
- Complete Performance Discussions with Direct Reports and Provide Feedback and Coaching.
- Work with Director of Estimating to stay updated on industry standards, new technologies and best practices to enhance estimating skills
- Training and mentoring Junior/Assistant Estimators to improve team performance and knowledge transfer
- Coordinate with Estimating Team to evaluate and develop standards and processes
Ensure Estimating Department is Efficient and Accurate
- Maintain Checklist for Estimate Review and Ensure All Estimators Use Consistently.
- Identify potential risks in project designs and materials that could impact costs and scheduling
- Build Estimating Database to be efficient and accurate (standard assemblies, extension reports that translate into job costing process).
- Continue to Develop Standard Takeoff Process and ensure consistent use.
- Standardize and implement review process – review yearly
- Ensure historical data is updated on the server by the team.
- Ensure estimates are accurate, i.e. thoroughly review specs and identify engineering errors.
- Update Estimating Kanban Board to ensure bandwidth of yourself and other team members is identifiable
Lead Estimates
- Lead estimates as assigned by Director
- Review project documentation – analyze drawings, specifications and any relevant documents to understand the project scope and requirements
- Look at strength and availability of team for assistance with take-off (if necessary)
- Lead team through take off process – reaffirming developed processes
- Prepare detailed bid package – crate clear and organized bid documents that facilitate understanding and comparison
- Identify and evaluate risks associated with project – develop mitigating plans
- Collaborate with suppliers and subcontractors
- Conduct thorough site assessment (if necessary)
Required Skills/Abilities
- Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of electrical systems, codes, and standards.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data and project specifications to develop accurate estimates.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in calculations and ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written skills for collaborating with teammates, engineers, clients, and contractors.
- Time Management: Capability to manage multiple estimates simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Negotiation Skills: Proficiency in negotiating costs and terms with suppliers and subcontractors.
- Software Proficiency: Familiarity with estimating software and tools for efficiency in creating estimates.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify potential issues and propose effective solutions during the estimating process.
- Industry Knowledge: Awareness of market trends, material costs, and emerging technologies in electrical engineering.
- Team Leadership: Experience in mentoring junior/assistant estimators and leading estimation teams.
- Site visit – knowledge of field installations and necessary information to be obtained for accurate estimate.
Education & Experience
- Apprenticeship graduate with 8-10 years estimating in the construction field OR 6-8 years estimating in the construction field – experience with Estimating Program (McCormick preferred)
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
- Ability to sit or stand at a desk for long hours when working in the office.
- Ability to consistently operate a computer and other office productivity equipment.
- Ability to lift 20 pounds as needed in routine activities associated with position.
- Ability to wear PPE when working/visiting a project location.
- Ability to work in extreme heat when working/visiting a project location.
- Ability to move safely over uneven terrain when working/visiting a project location.