Estimator - Tendering - Bid Writer

Summacon Group; Maryborough; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop

Performance bonus

Own tendering process

Training and development

Job summary

Summacon Group in Queensland seeks an experienced Estimator to own tendering from start to finish. You’ll identify opportunities, price them accurately and assemble tender responses that win work. This is a key role with a direct impact on the growth of the business.

You’ll find opportunities, price using first-principles methods, prepare RFQs, and produce both price and non-price responses. The role covers post-tender negotiations and handover to the project team.

Qualifications

• At least 3–5 years estimating in civil construction.
• Track record of preparing complete tenders, both price and non-price.
• Strong first-principles pricing and quantity take-off skills.
• Ability to read civil drawings, specifications and contracts.
• Knowledge of AS 4000 and AS 2124 and associated risk allocation.
• Advanced Excel skills and clear written communication.

Responsibilities

• Find tenders and monitor portals and invitations.
• Review documents and advise go/no-go decisions.
• Prepare and issue RFQs to suppliers and subcontractors.
• Break down drawings, specifications and schedules for costing.
• Price preliminaries, risk, contingency and margins.
• Present final price to management for sign-off.

Skills

Tendering

Cost estimation

Read drawings

Excel advanced

First-principles pricing

Communication

Organisation

Education

Degree in civil engineering

Diploma in construction management

Quantity surveying qualification

Tools

CostX

Bluebeam

12d

Corecon

Job description

Summacon Group is a civil construction business delivering [earthworks, drainage, roads, water and sewer infrastructure] across QLD. We're looking for an experienced Estimator to own our tendering from start to finish.

You’ll find the right opportunities, price them accurately and put together tender responses that win work. This is a key role with a direct impact on the growth of the business.

About the role

Summacon Group is a civil construction business delivering [earthworks, drainage, roads, water and sewer infrastructure] across QLD. We're looking for an experienced Estimator to own our tendering from start to finish.

You’ll find the right opportunities, price them accurately and put together tender responses that win work. This is a key role with a direct impact on the growth of the business.

What you’ll do

Finding tenders

• Monitor tender portals such as [QTenders, VendorPanel, Tenderlink, EstimateOne] and builder invitations
• Review documents and recommend go / no-go decisions based on risk, capacity and fit
• Keep a tender register and pipeline, and track deadlines, addenda and results

RFQs and pricing

• Break down drawings, specifications and schedules, and complete quantity take-offs
• Prepare and issue RFQs to suppliers and subcontractors, then chase, level and compare quotes
• Build first-principles estimates for labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and overheads
• Price preliminaries, risk, contingency and margin, and check rates against past jobs
• Prepare clarifications, assumptions, exclusions and value-engineering options
• Present the final price to management for review and sign-off

Non-price response

• Write responses to selection criteria, methodology and construction staging
• Prepare draft programs, organisation charts, CVs and project experience
• Compile WHS, quality, environmental and traffic management documentation
• Complete returnable schedules, declarations and pre-qualification formsMake sure every submission is complete, compliant and lodged on time

After the tender

• Respond to post-tender queries and attend negotiations and interviews
• Hand over successful tenders to the project team with a clear budget and risk register
• Gather tender feedback and build a library of rates, templates and past responses
• Maintain prequalification with councils, utilities and main contractors

What you’ll bring

Essential

• At least [3–5] years estimating in civil construction
• A track record of preparing complete tenders, both price and non-price
• Strong first-principles pricing and quantity take-off skills
• The ability to read civil drawings, specifications and contracts
• Working knowledge of common contracts such as AS 4000 and AS 2124 and their risk allocation
• Advanced Excel skills
• Clear, persuasive written communication
• Strong organisation and the ability to manage several tenders against tight deadlines

Advantageous

• A degree or diploma in civil engineering, construction management or quantity surveying
• Experience with estimating and take-off software such as [CostX, Bluebeam, 12d, Corecon]
• Background in water, sewer, roads or subdivision works
• Experience tendering to councils, state government and utilities
• Familiarity with integrated management systems (WHS, quality and environment)
• Site or project management experience
• Current driver's licence

What we offer

• Competitive salary plus super, depending on experience
• Company laptop and essentials provided
• Performance bonus tied to tender success
• Ownership of the tendering process, with a direct line to the directors
• A growing business with a strong pipeline of civil work
• Ongoing training and professional development