Estimator – Pre-Construction Bids (Manchester)

PPM Recruitment; Ringway; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Estimator role in Manchester within a leading main contractor, joining the Pre-Construction Department to manage tender submissions and cost plans.

You will work across offices, hotels, residential and heritage projects, preparing bids, analyzing tenders, and supporting supply chain selections. The role demands strong Excel skills, experience with Conquest/Onsight, and a proactive, organised approach.

Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience using estimating software such as Conquest, Conquest On-Screen Take Off, and Onsight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative and innovative approach to problem-solving.
• Self-motivated and highly organised.
• Team-oriented mindset.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Work across a wide range of sectors and project types, adapting estimating strategies accordingly.
• Prepare tenders, cost plans, budgets, and negotiated bids.
• Manage incoming tender documentation, addendums, and instructions.
• Produce detailed bills of quantities.
• Issue tender enquiries to subcontractors and suppliers.
• Analyse and evaluate tender returns for compliance, scope, accuracy, preliminaries, and commercial terms.
• Support supply chain selection and subcontractor assessments.
• Undertake quantification checks and cost verification exercises.
• Collaborate with operational, planning, management, and design teams during bid preparation.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions, build rates, and cost benchmarking data.
• Keep up to date with current construction methods and materials.
• Provide feedback and cost intelligence to the Quantity Surveying team.

Skills

Excel

Strong written/verbal communication

Creative problem-solving

Self-motivated

Highly organised

Team-oriented

Driving licence

Tools

Conquest

Conquest On-Screen Take Off

Onsight

Job description

Estimator role in Manchester within a leading main contractor, joining the Pre-Construction Department to manage tender submissions and cost plans.

You will work across offices, hotels, residential and heritage projects, preparing bids, analyzing tenders, and supporting supply chain selections. The role demands strong Excel skills, experience with Conquest/Onsight, and a proactive, organised approach.