Estimating & Benchmarking Manager

Air Liquide•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions is seeking an Estimating & Benchmarking Manager in Houston, Texas. The role develops conceptual and detailed capital estimates based on cost and quantity, within a total cost of ownership context. It ensures Group policies and procedures are applied to internally and externally driven work, and supports proposals and project opportunities on an EP and/or EPC basis. The manager coordinates estimating contributions across engineering disciplines, Air Liquide groups worldwide, business lines, and external stakeholders. The position develops and validates estimates, assesses risk and estimate ranges, supports investment and competitiveness reviews, and contributes to benchmarking and continuous improvement of estimating methods, tools, procedures, and cost references. Short-term local or international travel may be required depending on assigned work tasks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or an equivalent engineering field.
Valid U.S. employment authorization; must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Basic knowledge of Air Liquide’s technology portfolio, plant engineering, processes, and tools.
Experience estimating industrial projects, including risk processes such as PRI, PRA, and E&C Risk Analysis.
Strong analytical skills and interest in market analysis; ability to understand Air Liquide business objectives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to rigorously apply estimating standards and procedures and maintain excellent traceability of work.
Proactive, collaborative approach and ability to build respect with internal clients and stakeholders.
Ability to work under significant pressure and adapt to a changing environment.
Five to ten years of experience in an estimating function, with a focus on construction activities.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make independent decisions.
Experience interfacing with Marketing, external customers, and alliance partners.
Strong organizational skills.
Good understanding of vendor equipment used in industrial gas plants.
Willingness to travel locally or internationally for short periods depending on assigned tasks.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of French or German.
Previous interactions with other Air Liquide Group entities worldwide.

Responsibilities

Develop overall capital estimates, including ISBL, BOP, OSBL, and Owner’s Cost, at required project stages and in alignment with current scope, execution strategy, and risk documents.
Develop and perform @Risk Monte Carlo ranges and evaluate estimate P50.
Prepare, communicate, and explain estimating deliverables and analysis to support management decisions and commercial negotiations.
Coordinate estimates and interfaces among contributing groups, stakeholders, suppliers, and internal and external partners.
Coordinate with product and project groups to understand technical scope and division of work, ensuring costs are complete and accurate.
Work with business groups to understand project commercial aspects and ensure accurate cost modeling.
Support validation of target and investment CAPEX with the CIG Benchmarking and Cost Integrity Manager.
Apply estimating quality and alignment procedures and contribute to their continuous improvement.
Contribute to benchmarking studies and recommend project design standards and decisions using value analysis, design-to-cost, and risk management techniques.
Analyze and monitor business performance during project development and execution, improve cost references, and participate in key gate reviews.
Develop and approve estimating plans and schedules for estimate development.
Review and approve revisions to the Basis of Estimate.
Optimize estimating methods and tools and update procedures and training materials.
Recommend modifications to estimating strategies as needed.
Connect capital-estimating activities with Air Liquide business lines and operations.
Validate estimating inputs, outputs, and final capital estimates.
Guide and facilitate estimating-related scope clarifications with internal and external partners.
Collaborate on timely competitiveness reviews, including risk and quality analysis, in support of management reviews.
Gather market information and analyze win/loss data to support continuous improvement.
Comply with global, local, and industry engineering standards and advance company safety standards.
Support worldwide engineering convergence and alignment with managers and estimators in other countries.