What are the responsibilities and job description for the Acoustic Ceilings Estimator position at Central Ceilings, Inc.?
About the Role
Central Ceilings is hiring an Acoustical Ceiling Estimator to lead the charge on estimating across both private ceiling work and state-filed sub-bids. Working with our clients and our internal team, you will be the main point of contact for bidding commercial ceilings bids in a safe, professional and ethical manner across our core markets, healthcare, life science and laboratory, higher-education, institutional and commercial projects. This position reports to our Director of Pre-Construction. This is more than a desk role. The successful candidate will grow our ceiling division, building out the estimating bench and expanding the company. We are a union signatory contractor working with the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, and we are looking for someone detail-oriented who can manage multiple projects and deadlines at once and communicate clearly with clients and teams alike.
Core Responsibilities
• Estimate the full acoustical ceiling scope: read and review drawings, specifications and addenda; perform quantity take-offs; and price both material and labor (labor units, production rates and crew sizing) to produce quality, competitive bids.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and job-site walks; review bid documents, issue RFIs, and prepare clear scope letters.
• Procure the right products with vendors and manufacturers (Armstrong, USG, Rockfon, CertainTeed, Hunter Douglas, 9Wood, Gordon, etc.), confirm compliance with specifications, develop value-engineering options and competitive equals and alternates that give Central an edge, and lock in delivery to schedule.
• Collaborate with the estimating team, project managers and field carpenters, providing in-depth knowledge of ACT and specialty ceiling assemblies, grid, tile, trims, clouds, baffles, linear, wood, metal, felt, stretch-fabric and custom architectural ceilings, and their installation methods.
• Navigate Massachusetts public work — the MGL c.149 filed sub-bid process, DCAMM certification. Familiarity with this process is not essential but is strongly desired.
• Drive business development — build relationships with general contractor, estimators and purchasers, negotiate, and close projects.
• Serve as the in-house ceiling resource for the team across drawings, installation methods, specifications, vendors and products, while keeping an open mind to alternative strategies and techniques.
• Familiarity with procurement and estimating systems is expected, and the ability to learn ours quickly is essential.
What Makes You Fit
• 5–10 years estimating acoustical ceilings (ACT, specialty and suspended systems).
• Prior hands-on field or installation experience in ceilings is highly desired.
• Able to read architectural drawings and visualize what sits behind it, understanding each ceiling assembly, including grid, tile, and the accessories required.
• Understand specifications and technical information, including the ability to identify missing information that may be required.
• Strong procurement instincts and genuine familiarity with the buy-out process and the vendor and manufacturer community.
• Basic knowledge of takeoff and estimating software, On-Screen Takeoff and QuickBid; Procore
• Knowledge of acoustical wall panels and Division 10 specialty items is desirable.
• Union (New England Regional Council of Carpenters) experience is a plus.
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven, with the ability to manage multiple bids at once and strong communication and organizational skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build relationships with general contractors and construction managers.
• After a bid is won, you will lead the vetting and hand-off meeting that brings together project managers, foremen and accounting to transition the project to the team.
Compensation
Competitive base salary, DOE, plus an annual bonus
What We Offer
Full-Time Benefits include the following:
• 100% Paid Medical & Dental Programs
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave
• 401(k) Plan with Company Contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (Medical)
• Voluntary Life Insurance