Cost Estimator

ZipRecruiter; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in threat detection seeks a Cost Estimator to support UK and German sales by providing accurate costing for high-value service contracts. The role requires strong analytical skills and fluency in German and English to excel in contract evaluations and pricing models.

Qualifications

• Graduate qualification in finance, business, engineering, or similar required.
• Experience in financial modeling for high-value bids.
• Fluency in German and English is essential.

Responsibilities

• Define outcomes and deliverables with stakeholders.
• Create costing and pricing models.
• Communicate pricing recommendations and risks.

Skills

Fluency in German

Fluency in English

Financial modeling

Operational and financial data analysis

Communication

Excel

Education

Graduate qualification in finance, business, engineering, or a related field

Tools

SAP systems

Job description

Job Description

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group (www.smiths.com), is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies. The business caters to markets such as defense, urban security, ports and borders, and aviation. We provide solutions to defend society from threats involving explosives, illicit weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and drugs, backed by over 40 years of experience. Our people and technology make the world safer daily. Join us. For more information, visit www.smithsdetection.com.

This role can be based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, or Wiesbaden, Germany.

Job Description

The Cost Estimator supports UK & German sales activities by providing accurate costing for high-value, multi-year service contracts, bids, and renewals. Fluency in both German & English is essential.

The role is part of a global costing and commercial team advising on deal structures, resourcing, and improving costing, pricing, and contract design across regions and products.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Define outcomes and deliverables with stakeholders.
• Review tender documents, statements of work, and deal strategies; develop and validate service scope.
• Gather data from various departments to build accurate deal costs.
• Create costing and pricing models; develop bespoke models as needed and coach others.
• Provide timely costing and pricing inputs for business cases.
• Brief service delivery teams on costing outcomes.
• Communicate status and activities to stakeholders.
• Use standard methodologies to deliver clear outputs for decision-making.
• Assess and report on cost and price risks and variances.
• Offer pricing recommendations when requested.
• Advise on contractual terms related to costing and pricing.
• Review current and historic contract data for comparison.
• Monitor actual costs versus plans; analyze variances and suggest improvements.
• Support staffing cost modeling for service contracts.
• Identify and implement process improvements.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Graduate qualification in finance, business, engineering, or a related numerate field.
• Fluent in German and English.

Experience:

• Developing financial models for high-value bids and tenders.
• Recognized as the go-to person for costing and pricing.
• Identifying opportunities and risks.
• Bidding, tender review, and interpretation experience.
• Operational and financial data analysis experience.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Financial modeling for long-term contracts involving assets or equipment maintenance.
• Understanding how costs and prices influence contractual terms.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel.
• Knowledge of Smiths Detection products.
• Experience with modeling tools and SAP systems.
• Excellent written and spoken English and French; confident communicator.