Estimator

Novax Recruitment; Cwmbran; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Novax Recruitment in Cwmbran is seeking an Estimator to prepare accurate, competitive tenders across a varied structural steel portfolio.

You will interpret drawings, develop quantities and pricing, analyse quotations, and collaborate with technical and commercial teams to build robust submissions.

Qualifications

• Experience within an estimating role, ideally within structural steel, steelwork or construction.
• Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Understanding of construction methods, materials and costs.
• Strong communication skills across technical and commercial teams.
• A commercially minded and proactive approach.
• The ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines effectively.

Responsibilities

• Interpreting technical drawings, specifications and tender documentation
• Preparing Bills of Quantities, pricing models and tender submissions
• Obtaining and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Supporting tender strategy and commercial decision-making
• Identifying project risks and opportunities
• Working closely with technical, commercial and operational teams
• Ensuring tenders are accurate, competitive and commercially sound
• Developing your knowledge of the company's estimating systems and processes

Skills

Read drawings

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Tendering

Communication with teams

Tools

Estimating systems

Job description

Location: Cwmbran, South Wales
Salary: Competitive DOE
Job Type: Permanent | Full-Time

Before a project becomes steel, it becomes a number.

Every major structure starts with an estimate.

The right interpretation of a drawing.
The right quantities.
The right supplier prices.
The right commercial strategy.

Get those decisions right, and you can help turn an opportunity into a project the business is proud to deliver.

This is an opportunity to join an established structural steel business working across some of the UK's most recognisable and technically challenging projects.

From airport and rail infrastructure to specialist architectural structures and international projects, you'll be involved from the very beginning, helping shape what gets won and how it gets delivered.

The Role

As an Estimator, you'll be responsible for preparing accurate, competitive and technically robust tenders across a varied structural steel portfolio.

You'll interpret drawings and specifications, develop quantities and pricing, analyse supplier quotations and work closely with technical and commercial teams to build strong tender submissions.

This is a role where your judgement matters.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to value engineering, identify commercial risks and influence tender strategy as your experience develops.

What You'll Be Doing

• Interpreting technical drawings, specifications and tender documentation
• Preparing Bills of Quantities, pricing models and tender submissions
• Obtaining and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Supporting tender strategy and commercial decision-making
• Identifying project risks and opportunities
• Working closely with technical, commercial and operational teams
• Ensuring tenders are accurate, competitive and commercially sound
• Developing your knowledge of the company's estimating systems and processes

What You'll Bring

• Experience within an estimating role, ideally within structural steel, steelwork or construction
• Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills
• High attention to detail
• Understanding of construction methods, materials and costs
• Strong communication skills across technical and commercial teams
• A commercially minded and proactive approach
• The ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines effectively

Your First 12 Months

Month 1 – Learn
Get to know the estimating systems, processes and project types while working alongside experienced estimators.

Month 3 – Take Ownership
Begin running smaller to mid-sized tenders independently, building confidence and commercial understanding.

Month 6 – Step Up
Take responsibility for larger tender packages and contribute more actively to bid strategy and value engineering.

Month 12 – Make an Impact
Become a key contributor to the work-winning function, with the knowledge and confidence to influence major tenders.

Why This Role?

You won't be estimating generic projects that disappear into a spreadsheet.

You'll be pricing work you can actually point to.

Airports. Rail infrastructure. Specialist architectural structures. Major UK projects. International builds.

You'll work alongside an experienced team, develop your commercial and technical knowledge, and have a genuine opportunity to influence the projects the business wins.

If you're an Estimator looking for a role where your work has a visible impact — or you're ready to take the next step in your estimating career — this could be the opportunity for you.