Estimating Supervisor

Colas Ltd; Grantham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £45k-£60k per year

Company car or allowance

Pension up to 10%

Life assurance 4x salary

25 days + public holidays

Hybrid working

Study towards professional designation

Employee discounts

Job summary

Colas Ltd in Grantham is looking for an Estimating Quantity Surveyor to prepare accurate cost estimates for highways and civil projects from tender documents. You will combine quantity take-offs with governance to produce compliant submissions and manage risks, working with design, operations and supply chain teams.

The ideal candidate holds a related HND/degree with at least two years’ estimating experience, CSCS and a UK driving licence, and will support value engineering and safe, ethical

Qualifications

• HND or degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction or Civil Engineering.
• Minimum two years’ experience in highways or civil engineering estimating.
• CSCS card and UK driving licence are required.

Responsibilities

• Analyse tender documents and carry out quantity take-offs.
• Develop pricing from first principles and prepare preliminaries and risk registers.
• Negotiate quotes with design, operations and supply chain teams and propose value engineering.
• Ensure governance compliance and prepare commercial handovers to delivery teams.
• Support cost planning, contract strategies and risk management; maintain clear stakeholder communications.

Skills

First principles estimating

Quantity surveying

Commercial awareness

Communication

Planning

Education

HND or degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction or Civil Engineering

RICS/CIOB/ICES progression towards membership

CSCS card

UK driving licence

Job description

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

https://youtu.be/UfW2V6iUHpw

Purpose of the Role

The Estimating Quantity Surveyor (Estimating QS) based at our Grantham depot is responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates for highways and civil engineering projects. Reporting to the Business Unit Lead, you will combine detailed quantity take-offs with commercial governance to produce compliant tender submissions, manage risks, engage the supply chain, and ensure clear handover to delivery teams. The role supports the One Colas culture of safety, ethics, and continuous improvement.

Main Responsibilities

You will analyse tender documents, carry out quantity take-offs, develop pricing from first principles, and prepare preliminaries and risk registers. Working closely with design, operations, and supply chain teams, you will negotiate quotes and propose value engineering solutions. You will ensure compliance with Colas governance, prepare commercial handovers, support cost planning and contract strategies, and contribute to contract and risk management. Effective communication with stakeholders, maintaining accurate documentation, and promoting safety and process improvements are also key parts of this role.

Ideal Candidate

We seek a candidate with an HND or degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction or Civil Engineering, ideally working towards professional membership (RICS/CIOB/ICES). You will have at least two years’ relevant experience in highways or civil engineering estimating, be skilled in first principles estimating and supply chain engagement, and hold a valid CSCS card and UK driving licence. Strong technical knowledge, commercial awareness, planning skills, and clear communication are essential, along with a commitment to ethical working and safety culture.

Profile

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• A salary of circa £45,000 to £60,000 per annum plus company car or allowance.
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme, which is x4 basic salary
• 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Ongoing personal/professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.