Estimator/Senior Estimator

James Gray Recruitment; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car / car allowance

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Health & wellbeing benefits

Training & progression

Job summary

James Gray Recruitment is seeking an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator to join a growing infrastructure contractor in Scotland. You will manage tenders from enquiry to submission, produce first-principles estimates and detailed cost build-ups, and work with commercial and operations teams to ensure competitive, viable bids.

The role focuses on civil engineering and infrastructure projects across Scotland, with responsibilities including tender documentation, risk assessment, and

Qualifications

• Experience in civil engineering or infrastructure estimating.
• Strong understanding of first-principles estimating and cost build-ups.
• Ability to price labour, plant, materials and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Manage tenders from enquiry through submission.
• Prepare first-principles estimates and full cost build-ups.
• Take-offs from drawings and specifications.
• Price labour, plant, materials and subcontractors; manage supply chain quotes.
• Identify and price risks and opportunities.
• Prepare tender submissions and reporting.
• Support pre-construction activities and handover to project teams.

Skills

Estimating

Tender management

Commercial awareness

Communication

Organisational skills

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Estimating software

Job description

Estimator / Senior Estimator

Sector: Civil Engineering & Infrastructure

Location: Central Scotland

Salary: Up to £75,000, depending on experience

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

The Opportunity We are currently recruiting for an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator to join an established and growing infrastructure contractor with a strong pipeline of civil engineering projects across Scotland. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced estimating professional to join a business delivering a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects, with exposure to both major schemes and smaller civil engineering works. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing competitive and commercially robust tenders, working closely with operational, commercial and supply chain teams to ensure projects are accurately priced and risks are effectively managed.

The Role As an Estimator / Senior Estimator, you will be responsible for managing tenders from initial enquiry through to submission, ensuring all opportunities are thoroughly assessed, accurately priced and commercially viable. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing the registration, review and administration of tender documentation.
• Preparing and managing tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission.
• Producing accurate first-principles estimates and detailed cost build-ups.
• Completing quantity and material take-offs from drawings and specifications.
• Assessing and pricing labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and temporary works.
• Preparing and managing supply chain enquiries and obtaining competitive quotations.
• Identifying, assessing and pricing project risks and opportunities.
• Preparing tender submission documents and estimating reports.
• Supporting tender review meetings with senior management.
• Working closely with commercial, operational and project teams to ensure effective handover of successful tenders.
• Supporting proposals and wider pre-construction activities where required.
• Maintaining accurate estimating records and ensuring deadlines are consistently achieved.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator with a proven background within civil engineering, infrastructure or a related contracting environment. Ideally, you will have experience working across one or more of the following sectors:

• Civil engineering
• Rail infrastructure
• Highways and roads
• Utilities
• Power and energy
• Aviation
• Environmental infrastructure
• Major infrastructure projects

You will have strong commercial awareness, excellent attention to detail and the ability to develop accurate estimates from first principles. The ability to understand construction methodology and identify potential risks and opportunities will be essential.

Requirements

• Previous experience working as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within civil engineering or infrastructure.
• Strong first-principles estimating experience.
• Good understanding of civil engineering construction methods and processes.
• Experience pricing labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and temporary works.
• Ability to undertake accurate take-offs from drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Experience using estimating or cost management software would be advantageous.

The Package

Salary up to £75,000, depending on experience

• Company car or car allowance
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health and wellbeing benefits
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Long-term career progression within an established infrastructure business

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator to join a well-established contractor with a strong and diverse project pipeline across Scotland. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on varied infrastructure projects, develop their estimating and commercial expertise, and play a key role in securing and delivering future workload....