What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Estimator position at Tencate Grass?
Senior Estimator Construction
Company TenCate
Location Midwest Region (hybrid based on business needs)
Employment Type Full-Time
Reports To Operations Leadership
Company Overview
TenCate is a leading provider of synthetic turf, sports surface, and related construction solutions, supporting a family of companies that serve customers across sports, recreation, landscape, and other specialty markets. This Senior Estimator role will support TenCate's Midwest Region, with a primary focus on heavy civil, sitework, and related construction opportunities.
Position Summary
TenCate is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator with strong heavy civil estimating experience to support preconstruction and estimating activities across the Midwest Region. Heavy civil and sitework experience is essential for this role. The Senior Estimator will develop accurate, competitive, and complete estimates for complex private and public projects; evaluate project scope and risk; coordinate subcontractor and supplier pricing; and partner closely with Operations and Project Management to support successful project pursuit and execution.
The Senior Estimator will serve as a highly experienced individual contributor and technical resource within the estimating function. This role will independently manage complex estimates from initial review through bid submission and handoff, while also providing technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced estimators as needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare detailed cost estimates, budgets, and bid proposals for heavy civil, sitework, and related private and public construction projects across the Midwest Region.
- Review civil plans, specifications, bid documents, addenda, geotechnical reports, site conditions, and other project requirements to develop complete and accurate estimates.
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, production-rate, and other cost assumptions for heavy civil and sitework scopes.
- Solicit, evaluate, and level subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure scope coverage, competitiveness, and alignment with project requirements.
- Evaluate project risks, exclusions, assumptions, schedule considerations, site logistics, earthwork conditions, utilities, drainage, grading, constructability, and other factors that may affect pricing or execution.
- Analyze historical cost data, production rates, market conditions, and current pricing to support competitive and financially sound bids.
- Participate in bid strategy, estimate reviews, and go/no-go discussions with Operations, Project Management, and leadership for complex civil and sitework opportunities.
- Support value-engineering efforts and develop alternative approaches that improve competitiveness while maintaining project requirements and quality standards.
- Collaborate closely with Operations and Project Management to align estimates with execution capabilities and ensure a complete handoff of awarded work.
- Maintain organized estimating files, bid documentation, assumptions, pricing support, and related records.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance, estimating support, and mentorship to less-experienced estimators as needed.
- Identify opportunities to improve estimating tools, templates, procedures, cost databases, and overall preconstruction processes.
Qualifications
- 5 years of progressive construction estimating experience required, with significant hands-on experience estimating heavy civil and sitework projects. Experience with earthwork, grading, utilities, drainage, paving, concrete, and related civil scopes is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience independently preparing detailed estimates and bid proposals for complex heavy civil projects, including quantity takeoffs, subcontractor scopes, material pricing, labor, equipment, production rates, and project-specific assumptions.
- Strong understanding of heavy civil construction means and methods, civil plans and specifications, earthwork and site-development scopes, production rates, cost drivers, constructability, and construction risk.
- Ability to independently manage multiple estimates and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and business judgment with the ability to evaluate project scope, financial risk, assumptions, and bid strategy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with Operations, Project Management, leadership, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, and clients across the Midwest Region.
- High level of professionalism, ownership, accountability, and confidentiality.
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency with Bluebeam Revu and HCSS HeavyBid required or strongly preferred based on business needs.
- Experience with Procore or similar construction management platforms preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to learn and work effectively within additional estimating, project-management, and ERP systems used by the business.
Why Join TenCate
- Opportunity to play a key role in heavy civil estimating and preconstruction for TenCate's growing Midwest operations.
- Collaborative environment with direct exposure to Operations, Project Management, and business leadership.
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, holidays, and 401(k).
Work Authorization
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.
Equal Employment Opportunity
TenCate is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified or assigned based on business needs.
Benefits:
Vacation & Paid Time Off, 401K PlanSalary : $73,065 - $107,589