Estimating Manager

Position Overview

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of an estimating function rather than inherit a finished one. You will lead a team of two estimators, own the bid process from start to finish across a high volume pipeline that reaches up to 20 bids per week in peak season, and take on a project with real visibility: rebuilding how the company estimates so that pricing is tied to accurate part level costs and connects directly to job costing.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of two estimators, setting priorities, reviewing work, and building the group’s technical depth.
• Own the bid process from opportunity review through submission, including takeoffs, plan and specification review, and final proposal preparation.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and clearly document the assumptions behind them so pricing decisions are transparent and defensible.
• Partner with finance and operations to connect estimating data to job costing, replacing placeholder pricing with accurate part level costs.
• Improve and standardize estimating systems and workflows, finding opportunities to streamline and automate a high volume bid process.
• Review incoming opportunities from public agency bid boards and prioritize which to pursue based on fit, capacity, and margin.
• Monitor bid volume, win rates, and margin performance, and use those results to sharpen future pricing.
• Represent estimating in internal preconstruction meetings, presenting cost estimates and proposals to the operations team.
• Attend meetings with public agencies ahead of bid deadlines, and conduct or delegate site inspections before bids are submitted.
• Run weekly bid reviews and maintain a clear view of upcoming and awarded work.

Required Position Qualifications

• A track record of producing accurate, competitive estimates on cost driven work, with specific examples of bids you owned from opening review through submission.
• A minimum of 5 years of estimating or construction industry experience, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Proficiency with estimating software such as Bid2Win, HCSS HeavyBid, AGTEK, or comparable platforms, plus a strong command of takeoffs, blueprints, and specifications.
• Demonstrated success identifying and closing gaps in a process or system, particularly where estimating data has to reconcile with financial or job cost data.
• Comfort operating with ambiguity and building structure where little exists today.
• A high school diploma or GED.

Preferred Experience

• In heavy civil, highway, or public agency construction work.
• Prior experience leading, mentoring, or training estimators.
• Familiarity with public agency and state department of transportation bid boards, and the requirements of federally or state funded projects.
• A collaborative mindset and real curiosity about how the business makes money.