Commercial Construction Estimator

ABOUT OUR COMPANY
Founded in 1919, The Lilly Company has established itself as a leading provider in the material handling industry across the southeastern United States. We specialize in offering innovative, efficient, and reliable products including forklift sales, parts, service, rentals, and a comprehensive line of warehouse solutions designed to optimize business operations. This role will serve our Dock and Door Division with new construction opportunities!

Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Commercial Construction Estimator to join our team. In this role, you will be instrumental in preparing accurate project estimates for commercial construction dock and door projects, managing costs effectively, and supporting our project teams from initial bid through project completion. Your expertise will help ensure our projects are competitively priced while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.

Position Title: Commercial Construction Estimator / Plan Reader – Dock, Door & Access Openings

Position Summary:
This position would be responsible for reviewing architectural, civil, structural, and electrical construction drawings/specifications for new commercial building projects. Their main responsibility would be identifying all opportunities related to loading docks, overhead doors, pedestrian doors, gates, and associated equipment, then preparing complete and accurate quotations for customers, contractors, and developers.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Review blueprints, bid documents, and project specifications for upcoming commercial construction projects
- Identify all dock and door related scopes including:
- Loading dock equipment
- Overhead sectional doors
- Rolling steel doors
- High-speed doors
- Hollow metal / pedestrian doors & frames
- Automatic doors
- Gate operators / access control openings
- Safety barriers / bollards / accessories
- Perform quantity takeoffs from plans and specs
- Determine correct products based on building use, traffic flow, opening sizes, and code requirements
- Request pricing from vendors/manufacturers as needed
- Build professional, detailed customer proposals and bid packages
- Coordinate with sales team, project managers, and field operations
- Track bid deadlines and follow up on submitted proposals
- Maintain organized records of plans, quotes, revisions, and awarded jobs
- Assist in value engineering options when customers need budget alternatives

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience reading commercial construction drawings
- Knowledge of Division 8 products, dock equipment, and commercial doors
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to work with takeoff software, PDFs, and estimating tools
- Good communication skills with contractors, vendors, and internal staff
- Mechanical aptitude and understanding of field installation processes

Why This Role Adds Value:

- Faster turnaround on bids
- More accurate quoting
- Increased pursuit of new construction opportunities
- Better follow-up on large projects
- Improved workload balance for current sales/service staff
- Greater potential revenue growth in dock, door, and pedestrian openings market

Duties

• Negotiate with suppliers and subcontractors to secure competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards.
• Prepare comprehensive bid proposals that clearly outline scope of work, pricing strategies, and project timelines.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, and stakeholders to ensure accurate estimation aligned with project goals and contractual obligations.

Qualifications

• Experience reading commercial construction drawings
• Knowledge of Division 8 products, dock equipment, and commercial doors
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work with takeoff software, PDFs, and estimating tools
• Good communication skills with contractors, vendors, and internal staff
• Mechanical aptitude and understanding of field installation processes
• Proven experience managing projects as a construction estimator within the commercial construction industry.
• Strong proficiency in estimating software such as HeavyBid and Bluebeam; familiarity with Xactimate is a plus.
• Excellent blueprint reading skills with the ability to interpret technical drawings accurately.
• Demonstrated expertise in cost management, material cost estimating, and pricing strategies.
• Skilled in negotiation with vendors, clients, and subcontractors to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Solid understanding of construction contracts, project management principles, and construction site operations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel spreadsheets for data analysis and reporting.
• Construction industry experience emphasizing estimation for commercial projects; construction site experience is highly desirable. Join us to play a vital role in delivering high-quality commercial construction projects. our expertise will drive our success by ensuring precise estimates that support efficient project execution while fostering strong client relationships through transparent communication and strategic negotiations.

This role will be traveling to all our locations and customer sites. A generous monthly car allowance is granted as well as expenses. This is a corporate role.

This is a new role within our company and we are seeking a candidate with the right experience to add to this growing division .

The Lilly Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 6% Match
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Fuel reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Construction estimating: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Atlanta, GA 30336 (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,521 - $111,841