What are the responsibilities and job description for the Estimating Manager position at Confidential?
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About the Role
The Estimating Manager is responsible for leading the estimating function for the service plumbing division. This role oversees quote development, pricing strategy, labor and material costing, proposal accuracy, and process consistency to support profitable growth. The Estimating Manager works closely with service managers, dispatch, field supervisors, technicians, vendors, and customers to ensure estimates are accurate, timely, competitive, and aligned with company standards.
Responsibilities
- Manage all estimating activities for service plumbing work, including repair, replacement, retrofit, and small project opportunities.
- Review incoming service opportunities and determine scope, labor requirements, material needs, subcontractor needs, permits, and schedule considerations.
- Prepare accurate and timely estimates, proposals, and bid packages for commercial service plumbing and renovation work.
- Develop and maintain pricing standards, labor units, flat-rate structures, and gross margin targets.
- Review technician-generated leads, field notes, photos, and recommendations to build complete estimates.
- Work with operations and service leadership to ensure quoted work can be executed efficiently and profitably.
- Coordinate with purchasing and vendors to obtain current pricing on materials, fixtures, equipment, and subcontracted services.
- Standardize estimating templates, proposal formats, and approval workflows.
- Monitor estimate hit rates, sold margins, pricing accuracy, and close ratios, and adjust estimating practices as needed.
- Train and support estimators, service coordinators, and field staff on scope capture, documentation, and estimate handoff.
- Assist in resolving scope discrepancies, pricing questions, and customer change requests.
- Support customer meetings, site visits, and pre-job walkthroughs when needed.
- Maintain estimating records, job costing feedback, and historical pricing data for future use.
- Partner with accounting and operations to compare estimated versus actual costs and identify improvement opportunities.
- Ensure all estimates comply with company policies, local codes, and customer requirements.
- Proven experience in construction estimating with a strong background in heavy civil or commercial projects.
- Proficiency in estimating software such as HeavyBid, Bluebeam, and other relevant tools.
- Demonstrated ability in negotiation with subcontractors, vendors, and clients to achieve optimal pricing.
- Extensive knowledge of construction processes, site management, contracts, and cost control strategies.
- Hands-on construction site experience or construction management background is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of project management principles and how they relate to estimating accuracy.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex estimates clearly and confidently. Join us as an Estimating Manager where your expertise will shape successful projects from the ground up! We value energetic professionals who thrive on challenge and innovation—ready to make a tangible impact in the construction industry!
Qualifications
- 12 years of estimating experience in plumbing, mechanical, construction, or service trades.
- 4 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
- Strong knowledge of service plumbing systems, repairs, replacements, drain, water, gas, and code-related work.
- Ability to read plans, specifications, field notes, and customer scopes of work.
- Strong understanding of labor costing, material pricing, overhead, and margin management.
- Experience with service software, estimating platforms, and spreadsheets.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills with customers, technicians, vendors, and internal teams.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record preferred.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in a service plumbing company rather than only new construction.
- Familiarity with flat-rate pricing models and service sales processes.
- Strong analytical ability and comfort using job costing data to improve estimate accuracy.
- Ability to coach teams and improve estimating discipline across the organization.
Success Measures
- Estimate turnaround time
- Estimate accuracy
- Gross margin performance
- Close rate on quoted work
- Change order frequency due to scope misses
- Estimated versus actual labor and material variance
- Team productivity and process compliance
Pay: $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $100,000 - $150,000