Estimating Manager

About the role

Position: Estimating Manager
Reports to: Director of Solutions Development
Location: Easley, SC

Responsibilities

• Oversee the estimation process, manage estimating projects, and optimize project performance to ensure accuracy and efficiency of proposals, estimates, and project execution.
• Drive system and process improvements, ensuring alignment with manufacturing capabilities, and foster cross-departmental collaboration to achieve project success.
• Lead a team of estimators, coordinate with various departments, and ensure continuous professional development of team members.
• Prepare estimates and proposals with strategic alignment and optimized project outcomes.
• Lead weekly meetings to update Account Managers on project status and address roadblocks.
• Manage and assign estimating projects within the queue.
• Review pricing with margin approvers and Account Managers before quote submission.
• Transfer relevant estimating details to the Job Project File and communicate during Project Kick-off meetings post-purchase order receipt.
• Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess estimating efficiency and collaborate with leadership to establish improvement metrics.
• Implement and enforce standards, enhance tools, and drive process innovation to improve estimating efficiency.
• Collaborate in the development of tools focused on creating repeatable systems for estimating.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in parts, components, and routings, aligning with the Design department.
• Oversee the implementation of Jobscope Enterprise, ensuring alignment with changes in the estimating process.
• Enforce document control policies to ensure accuracy and organization in Estimating Project Files.
• Maintain a comprehensive vendor database for services like installation, fencing, KS, and netting.
• Manage a database of placeholder values to ensure consistency across estimators.
• Explore alternative design software to enhance integration between Engineering and Estimating.
• Develop an understanding of the company’s manufacturing and KS Systems’ capacity to inform design decisions.
• Maintain a database of available tools and dies for reference in estimating and design processes.
• Ensure proposed designs align with estimating assumptions and provide guidance to estimators as needed.
• Understand KS Systems’ pricing structure to improve estimating accuracy.
• Collaborate with KS Systems to refine estimating practices for RSS projects, driving alignment and efficiency.
• Stay updated on automation technology trends and their impact on rack design.
• Monitor steel pricing trends to ensure competitive and accurate estimates.
• Oversee RMI reporting to maintain compliance with industry standards.
• Encourage estimators to collaborate across departments to gain a comprehensive understanding of project workflows.
• Visit project sites and collaborate with Project and Site Managers to improve knowledge of installation processes and advise estimators.
• Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure material prices in estimates reflect current market values.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure reliable partnerships and access to up-to-date information.
• Foster connections with installers to facilitate collaboration and project execution.
• Assist in training new estimators, utilizing team expertise to enhance onboarding.
• Develop and maintain training materials for consistent learning.
• Guide new hires to become independent and confident, fostering a supportive environment.
• Conduct quarterly and year-end performance reviews to provide feedback and support continuous growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (preferred).
• Proven experience in estimating, project management, and team leadership.
• Strong knowledge of estimating systems, project performance tracking, and process optimization.
• Expertise in manufacturing processes, tooling, and design integration.
• Proficiency in software tools such as Jobscope Enterprise or similar estimating platforms.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to analyze and improve project workflows, ensuring efficiency and cost accuracy.

Work environment

This role is based in an office setting, with the majority of work conducted at a desk/computer. Occasional travel may be required.

Physical demands

This position predominantly involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional responsibilities that require the movement of objects. The role requires good manual dexterity, coordination, and stamina, but does not involve frequent physical activity or heavy lifting.