Sales Estimator

Brooks Construction Company, Inc.•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

The Sales Estimator identifies and pursues public and private heavy highway construction opportunities and prepares accurate, competitive estimates that support profitable growth. The role reviews plans, specifications, and bid documents; completes quantity takeoffs; develops labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor pricing; and prepares complete bid submissions. It also builds and maintains relationships with customers, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers, and works with operations to transition awarded work to project teams. The position is primarily performed in a professional office environment, with occasional travel to construction sites, plants, customer locations, pre-bid meetings, and industry events. Site visits may involve uneven terrain, moving equipment, traffic, dust, noise, mud, and outdoor weather conditions. Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required for bid deadlines or business and industry functions. This role has no direct supervisory responsibilities, though it may provide guidance or coordinate tasks for estimating support staff, interns, or others assisting with takeoffs and bid preparation.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of heavy highway and civil construction methods, materials, equipment, production rates, and project sequencing.
Ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction plans, specifications, bid documents, proposals, and state, county, and municipal requirements.
Strong estimating, quantity takeoff, cost analysis, pricing, mathematical, and spreadsheet skills.
Ability to identify scope gaps, pricing risks, constructability concerns, and potential cost-saving or value-engineering opportunities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, and experience with construction estimating and on-screen takeoff software.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple bids and priorities under tight deadlines.
Accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail.
Strong analytical, decision-making, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal, customer-service, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to present and explain estimates, assumptions, and recommendations to leadership, customers, and operations personnel.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with customers, peers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
Self-motivated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as a team member.
Dependability, adaptability, professionalism, and ability to work at an energetic pace with frequent interruptions.
High ethical standards and fair, honest, straightforward dealings with others.
Appropriate discretion and confidentiality with company, customer, and bid information.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites, customer locations, and business functions as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Business, Mathematics, or a related field.
Three or more years of construction estimating, sales, or related heavy highway/civil construction experience; equivalent combinations of education, field experience, technical training, and related experience may be considered.
Experience estimating roadway, asphalt, concrete, earthwork, utility, site-development, or other heavy civil construction work.
Experience working with public agencies, municipalities, private owners, and applicable bid requirements.

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and track public and private bid opportunities aligned with the company's capabilities, geographic market, and strategic goals.
Review plans, specifications, proposals, owner requirements, and other bidding documents to determine project scope and requirements.
Perform quantity takeoffs and develop estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project costs.
Analyze project phasing, sequencing, site logistics, constructability, schedule impacts, and risks affecting pricing or performance.
Solicit, review, compare, and level subcontractor, vendor, and supplier quotes, confirming scope inclusions, exclusions, and bid coverage.
Attend pre-bid meetings and conduct site visits as needed to evaluate conditions, clarify scope, and identify risks or opportunities.
Prepare unit-price and lump-sum bids, proposals, cost breakdowns, clarifications, assumptions, and supporting documentation.
Review bid changes and incorporate applicable revisions into estimates and final bid submissions.
Participate in internal bid reviews and final pricing meetings, explaining estimate assumptions, risks, production methods, and pricing strategy.
Submit bids according to owner and agency requirements and deadlines, and follow up with customers and owners as appropriate.
Maintain accurate estimating files and supporting documentation, including takeoffs, quotes, pricing information, correspondence, assumptions, and bid results.
Build and maintain relationships with customers, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.
Represent the company at industry associations, networking events, business functions, and customer meetings, including occasional events outside normal business hours.
Participate in project handoff meetings and communicate scope, pricing assumptions, production expectations, risks, subcontractor coverage, and relevant bid information to operations and project teams.
Assist with tracking bid results, award rates, market trends, historical costs, and estimating performance.
Assist others in the department as needed and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive pay
Opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Health insurance with 100% of the premium paid for the employee, spouse, and eligible children
Prescription drug plans
Dental and vision insurance
Health Savings Accounts with employer contributions
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid vacation and holidays
Employee Assistance Program
Telehealth services
401(k) plan with employer contributions
Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
Training programs and advancement opportunities
Tuition reimbursement program