Senior Estimator

Description

Job Overview:

The Senior Estimator is responsible for leading and overseeing the estimating department across all affiliated service lines including Sheer Service, Evo Door and Window, and AFS. This role manages the daily operations, performance, and strategic direction of the Estimating Department, including Estimators, Trade Specialists, and the Close Out Manager.

The Senior Estimator is responsible for developing and enforcing standardized estimating procedures, pricing structures, scopes of work, disclaimer language, and material pricing strategies across all divisions. This position plays a critical leadership role in ensuring proposals are accurate, profitable, scalable, and aligned with client expectations and company standards.

This individual serves as the primary escalation point for complex bids, high-value opportunities, scope interpretation, and profitability review while collaborating closely with Operations, Procurement, Sales, Service, and Projects leadership teams.

Directly Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Job Responsibilities:

Department Leadership & Oversight

· Oversee the daily operations and workflow of the Estimating Department, including Estimators, Trade Specialists, and the Close Out Manager.

· Establish department structure, accountability standards, workflows, and performance expectations.

· Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and developmental training for department staff.

· Assist in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and disciplinary actions for estimating team personnel.

· Ensure departmental alignment between Service, Projects, Distribution, and Procurement divisions.

· Create departmental SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and maintain process documentation.

Estimating & Proposal Management

· Review and approve high-value, high-risk, or strategically sensitive estimates prior to client submission.

· Ensure estimates align with customer expectations, contractual obligations, and company profitability goals.

· Standardize estimate formatting, proposal structure, and scope-of-work language across all business entities.

· Develop and maintain approved disclaimer language libraries for varying project scopes and risk levels.

· Oversee material pricing structures and pricing consistency between divisions and affiliated companies.

· Ensure all estimates include accurate labor assumptions, material costs, travel costs, equipment needs, subcontractor expenses, and applicable contingencies.

· Collaborate with Procurement teams to maintain current vendor pricing and national market trends.

· Assist with large RFPs, capital expenditure projects, rollouts, and national account bidding strategies.

· Oversee estimate revisions, value engineering efforts, and pricing negotiations when needed.

Standardization & Process Development

• Develop standardized estimating processes across all operating companies.
• Create and maintain approved estimating guidelines for labor rates, markups, trip charges, material margins, and subcontractor pricing.
• Work closely with Procurement leadership to standardize material pricing and vendor utilization strategies.
• Develop standardized disclaimer language to reduce organizational risk exposure.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to improve scope accuracy, field communication, and estimating efficiencies.
• Assist in developing SOPs, estimating playbooks, pricing matrices, and internal training documentation.

Financial & Operational Oversight

• Monitor estimate profitability and margin consistency across divisions.
• Analyze estimating trends, labor fluctuations, vendor pricing changes, and recurring cost impacts.
• Assist leadership with forecasting workload capacity and staffing needs within the department.
• Review vendor proposals and subcontractor pricing for accuracy and competitiveness.
• Work closely with Accounting and Operations teams to identify estimating discrepancies impacting profitability.
• Assist with strategic planning for large-scale bids, national accounts, and capital project opportunities.

Key Performance Indicators:

Financial & Accuracy

• Estimate Accuracy: Variance between estimated vs. actual costs (Target: ±10% or better)
• Gross Margin Achievement: % of jobs meeting or exceeding target margins

Speed & Productivity

• Estimate Turnaround Time: Average completion time aligned with SLA requirements
• On-Time Delivery Rate: % of estimates submitted within required timeframes

Client Approval Rating

• Proposal Approval Rate: % of proposals submitted vs approved by client

Candidate Qualifications:

• 7+ years of estimating experience within facilities maintenance, construction, commercial trades, or related industries.
• 3+ years of leadership or departmental management experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of commercial facilities maintenance operations, construction workflows, and trade coordination.
• Experience estimating service work, capital projects, rollouts, and multi-site national account work.
• Advanced understanding of labor burden calculations, material pricing structures, subcontractor management, and profitability analysis.
• Strong knowledge of commercial trades including doors, glass, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and general construction preferred.
• Experience developing scopes of work, disclaimer language, and standardized operational procedures.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, estimating software, facility maintenance platforms, and reporting systems.
• Experience with Facil IT or similar facility management software preferred.
• Ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams.