Preconstruction & Procurement Specialist

Lightspeed•Northbrook, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

LightSpeed Build Technologies is hiring a Preconstruction & Procurement Specialist to turn the design team’s takeoffs and initial estimates into complete bid packages, manage bids with subcontractors and suppliers for work the company does not self-perform, and procure materials and services for approved projects. The role builds and manages the subcontractor and supplier network, owns the final project pricing, and develops reliable pricing and purchasing processes using lessons learned from each project. It brings construction experience to a team working with AI-powered construction robotics. The position is full-time and onsite in Northbrook, Illinois, with travel to job sites as needed. The specialist prepares customer-ready proposals, supports pricing discussions, tracks estimated versus actual costs, solicits and evaluates bids, negotiates pricing and terms, prepares agreements for approval, and buys out approved projects. The role also helps establish purchase order, receiving, and vendor-tracking processes and coordinates material delivery timing with the Production & Delivery Manager.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in residential construction estimating, preconstruction, purchasing, or bid management, working with actual project costs including materials, labor, and regional variation.
Experience preparing bid packages and working with subcontractors and suppliers.
Ability to read plan sets and work from takeoffs, identifying scope gaps before they lead to change orders.
Strong Excel skills and experience with estimating or takeoff tools such as Bluebeam, RSMeans, or Procore.
Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain pricing to customers and stand behind the numbers.
Ability to work onsite in Northbrook, Illinois, and travel to job sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

A degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field.
Experience in prefab, panelized, or modular construction.
An existing Chicago-area subcontractor and supplier network.
Multi-family or affordable housing experience.
Experience setting up purchasing or purchase order processes at a growing company.
Familiarity with Revit or model-based takeoffs.

Responsibilities

Build complete bid packages from plan sets, Revit takeoffs, and initial estimates, including clear trade scopes, assumptions, and exclusions.
Apply the robotic-construction cost model to compare the cost of building a home using the company's approach with traditional construction, including remaining on-site work.
Convert bids into customer-ready proposals and participate in pricing reviews with prospects and partners as the construction cost expert.
Track estimate-versus-actual costs on each job and update cost data based on findings.
Build and maintain subcontractor and supplier networks for foundations, MEP, roofing, finishes, and site work.
Solicit, level, and compare bids; recommend awards based on price, scope, and reliability.
Negotiate pricing and terms and prepare subcontract and purchase agreements for approval.
Buy out approved projects by locking in material pricing and lead times and issuing purchase orders.
Help establish purchase order, receiving, and vendor-tracking processes as the company moves into repeat production.
Coordinate delivery timing with the Production & Delivery Manager so materials arrive when needed at the factory and job site.
Manage change orders and their cost impact with customers and subcontractors.
Travel to job sites as needed.