Senior Project Estimator

Design Fabricators and In•Louisville, KY

1d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Project Estimator is responsible for preparing, coordinating, and managing complete project estimates and bid packages for large, complex, or time-sensitive projects. This position reviews customer requirements, drawings, specifications, RFPs, vendor quotes, subcontractor information, internal production requirements, and historical cost data to develop competitive and accurate estimates. The Senior Project Estimator reports to the Vice President and manages estimate timelines, coordinates internal and external stakeholders, supports executive review and approval, communicates estimate assumptions and risks, and transfers awarded project knowledge to the project team.

Requirements

Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred.
5+ years of estimating, construction, fabrication, conveyor, material handling, manufacturing, or related experience required.
Experience preparing estimates for construction, fabrication, conveyor, material handling, or industrial projects preferred.
Experience estimating projects ranging from small shop work to large or complex projects preferred.
Familiarity with conveyor systems, material handling, fabrication, installation, or related industrial work preferred.
Strong knowledge of fabrication shop, estimating, purchasing, engineering, production, and vendor coordination processes.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex drawings, specifications, RFPs, customer documents, and bid requirements.
Ability to prepare full cost estimates including material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, overhead, production, and schedule impacts.
Highly proficient with JobBOSS, NetSuite, ERP systems, or estimating software.
Advanced Excel skills required.
Strong communication, problem-solving, organization, and follow-up skills.
Ability to manage aggressive deadlines, multiple estimates, and changing priorities.
Ability to coordinate internal and external stakeholders and drive the estimating process to completion.
Ability to explain, clarify, and defend estimate assumptions, pricing decisions, and bid recommendations.
Ability to mentor or assist less-experienced estimators.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to travel to trade shows or customer sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Experience preparing estimates for construction, fabrication, conveyor, material handling, or industrial projects preferred.
Experience estimating projects ranging from small shop work to large or complex projects preferred.
Familiarity with conveyor systems, material handling, fabrication, installation, or related industrial work preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and manage complete project estimates, shop estimates, RFP responses, and bid packages for standard, large, and complex projects.
Review and analyze customer requests, tender documents, drawings, designs, specifications, and related project documentation.
Build estimates from concept through full bid package using customer documents, internal requirements, vendor quotes, subcontractor quotes, and historical cost information.
Identify labor, material, equipment, production, subcontractor, overhead, schedule, and time requirements.
Solicit, compare, and evaluate quotes and lead times from internal teams, vendors, and subcontractors.
Manage aggressive RFP and bid timelines by coordinating stakeholders, driving follow-up, and holding contributors accountable.
Compile information from internal teams, vendors, subcontractors, and customers into a comprehensive estimate analysis.
Prepare final bid packages and supporting documentation for review and approval by leadership.
Prepare cost analysis by calculating or recalculating material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, overhead, and installation-related costs.
Complete overall project estimates using the company ERP, estimating tools, or in-house systems.
Communicate and clarify estimate scope, assumptions, exclusions, risks, and supporting information effectively.
Provide supporting information to defend the estimating process, pricing decisions, and bid recommendations.
Assist customers with questions, concerns, scope clarification, and project pricing discussions.
Track, analyze, and report historical estimating data, project trends, realized costs, estimated revenue, and related commitments or obligations.
Maintain and improve pricing databases, estimating tools, templates, and standard costing information.
Identify and recommend continuous improvement opportunities for the estimating process.
Support project award transitions by leading or participating in handoff meetings with project management, engineering, purchasing, production, and other internal teams.
Mentor and assist less-experienced estimators in estimating methods, document review, vendor coordination, and bid preparation.
Attend networking functions, customer meetings, trade shows, or customer site visits as requested by supervisor.
May be required to perform other duties as assigned.