Construction Estimator

Job Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Estimator sells, estimates, prices and closes commercial construction project deals. He or she builds strong relationships with both new and existing customers, consistently negotiates and secures successful projects, and effectively partners with project management and field leadership to ensure the job is positioned for success on the front end.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Business Development

• Identifies and pursues target customers and projects in alignment with Marek goals
• Creates and maintains close, trusting relationships with both current and potential customers, even when there is not an active project
• Owns customer relationships on both an individual customer and organizational customer basis (i.e. individual representatives as well as client company as a whole)
• Senses and seizes business opportunities which create win-win outcomes for Marek and customer
• Develops creative solutions to negotiate and add value (value engineering, packaging multiple Marek trades, etc.)
• Influences recommendations, project scope, decision criteria, schedule, etc. on the front end to best position Marek and customer for win-win outcomes
• Consistently secures profitable and/or strategic customers and projects; able to successfully close highly complex deals
• Learns audiences, captures undivided attention and delivers creative interactive presentations
• Builds and maintains an active presence in the market (through relationships, relevant association involvement, events, seminars, customer events and meetings, etc.)
• Is recognized by customers for being an expert in the market, as well as for responsiveness, follow-through and ability to listen and address concerns
  
  

Cost Estimating

• Effectively assesses and prioritizes opportunities both current and future opportunities to bid; knows and factors in projects on the horizon and knows which ones to bid
• Accurately assesses all factors of project scope which may affect cost, including probable scope which may have been left out or is unspecified
• Reviews plan, drawings, specifications, schedule and may visit construction site to note geographic features, site access, logistics for material staging, etc.
• Cultivates intelligence on the market and project, including the competitor landscape, and utilizes to effectively price and compete for business
• Works closely with potential suppliers, manufacturers and subcontractors on quotes
• Breaks down all expenses (including labor, materials, equipment and other resources), factors in the schedule, any risks or constraints, customer relationship, supplier relationships, market pricing and other bidders and plans the project budget
• Predicts the effects of key variables on productivity and the bottom line
• Understands the business, our industry and trade, and how to maximize Marek’s competitive advantage during the estimating and bidding process
• Able to effectively bundle Marek’s products and services for a market advantage
• Improves accuracy, consistency and speed of take-offs
• Manages time and abilities to deliver an on-time bid
• Takes into account an estimate’s downstream impacts to project management and production
• Conducts effective and creative post bid follow-up with decision-makers, including face to face, to close the deal
• Trains and mentors new estimators; reviews estimates from trainees to ensure accurate and concise quotes are submitted
  
  

Project Management

• Effectively transfers project knowledge acquired during estimating and bidding phases to production team, including both project manager and field leadership
• Partners with project management, field leaders and customer to plan pre-job, including identifying and resolving potential scope, schedule, sequence, budget, safety, material staging or manpower issues, and developing appropriate internal cost code structure
• Solicits feedback throughout the lifecycle of the project to improve future estimates and bids
  
  

Safety Leadership

• Champions Marek’s safety program
• Assumes a safety leadership role and gains the respect of peers, crew and customers for safety leadership
• Understands and articulates customer’s safety program and expectations
• Addresses safety issues within Marek and with the customer, regardless of origin or cause, leading to a positive resolution
• Demonstrates commitment to safety on the jobsite through leading or collaborating on toolbox talks, stretch and flex, and by recognizing and remediating safety hazards on jobsite walks
• Coaches other Estimators on safety
  
  

Education

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management or related field of study or High School Diploma/GED with equivalent work experience
  
  

Experience

• 5 years progressive experience in commercial construction industry selling, estimating, pricing and closing projects, preferably in general contracting or drywall and interiors
• Proven track record developing new customers and selling projects to both new and existing customers
• Project management experience preferred
• Field experience a plus
  
  

Skills

• Expert in construction practices and estimating methods
• Strong relationship building skills
• Strong numerical and reasoning skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, specifically Outlook, Word and Excel
• Strong experience with estimating, scheduling and/or project management technology (Quick Bid, On-Screen Take-Off, project management and blueprint collaboration software such as Bluebeam, PlanGrid, etc.)
  
  

Working Conditions

• Able to work a varied schedule to complete projects and meet deadlines in response to changing demands.
• Able to work in fast paced environment with high daily pressure to meet deadlines.
• Able to perform work indoors in an office environment, regardless of whether cubicle, open office or private office.
• Able to travel to branch offices and construction jobsites.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Able to communicate verbally, in a clear manner.
• Able to hear oral communication either in person or on equipment such as telephone or mobile phone.
• Able to operate a personal computer, either desktop or laptop, for extended periods of time creating, composing and reviewing documents and spreadsheets.
• Able to operate office equipment, including telephone, mobile phone, photocopier, fax machine, scanner and calculator.
• Able to access and navigate construction jobsites periodically. This can include climbing stairs and/or ladder
  
  

Direct reports

This position has no direct reports.

*We are an Equal Opportunity Employer*