Sales Manager

Novax Recruitment Ltd; Halifax; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

37.5-hour week

Flexi-time

33 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Employee discounts

Opportunity to lead & develop function

Exposure to major UK projects

Long-term career opportunity

Job summary

Novax Recruitment Ltd is seeking an Estimating Manager for a Huddersfield-based structural steel business, to lead the estimating function and develop the team.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will personally manage key enquiries (minimum three per week) and work with clients, engineers and suppliers to secure competitive pricing on major projects.

The role offers a competitive salary negotiable with experience, 37.5 hours, flexi-time and a strong long‑term career path.

Qualifications

• Experience in structural steel estimating or related construction environment.
• Ability to price projects from 50 to 3,000 tonnes with commercial awareness.
• Understanding of construction costing and drawings/specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Estimating team, setting targets and monitoring performance.
• Personally manage and convert key enquiries, with a minimum of three enquiries per week.
• Manage enquiries and progress opportunities with clients, engineers and suppliers.
• Negotiate with subcontractors to secure competitive pricing.
• Present reports on enquiry status and pipeline to leadership.
• Attend pre-tender and post-tender discussions with stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with clients and consultants; influence outcomes.
• Support value engineering to find practical project solutions.

Skills

Estimating

Team leadership

Negotiation

Client communication

Microsoft Office

Tekla models

Commercial awareness

Tendering

Education

BSc/HNC Building Studies

MCIOB or RICS

Tools

Tekla

Microsoft Project

Excel

Job description

Estimating Manager - Structural Steel

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience

The Company

Established in the 1970s, this employee‑owned structural steelwork business has built more than four decades of experience designing, detailing and fabricating steel structures for major projects across the UK.

The business has developed long‑standing relationships with principal contractors and has a highly skilled workforce, with many employees having progressed through the company into senior positions.

With a growing pipeline of high‑profile projects, the business is now looking to strengthen its commercial team with an experienced Estimating Manager.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, you will play a key role in converting incoming opportunities into profitable projects while leading and developing the existing estimating function.

This is a hands‑on management position, combining your own estimating responsibilities with responsibility for the performance and development of the wider team.

You will:

• Lead, manage and develop the Estimating team, setting targets and monitoring performance.
• Personally manage and convert key enquiries, with an expectation of executing a minimum of three enquiries per week.
• Manage incoming enquiries and ensure opportunities are accurately assessed and progressed.
• Negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers to secure competitive project pricing.
• Work closely with clients, engineers, architects and internal departments throughout the tender process.
• Prepare and present accurate reports on enquiry status and the project pipeline to the leadership team.
• Attend pre‑tender interviews and post‑tender presentations.
• Develop strong relationships with clients and consultants.

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in structural steel estimating and a good understanding of the construction and commercial considerations behind major steelwork projects.

You should have:

• Previous experience within structural steel estimating or a similar construction environment.
• Proven experience pricing projects ranging from 50 to 3,000 tonnes.
• Strong knowledge of building construction and structural/civil engineering principles.
• The ability to accurately interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of construction costing.
• Experience dealing with contractors, engineers, architects and consultants.
• Experience reviewing Tekla models to assess the constructability of structures.
• Previous line management or team leadership experience.
• Experience in value engineering and finding practical solutions to project challenges.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project skills.
• The confidence to communicate and present clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.

A BSc/HNC in Building Studies or a similar discipline would be advantageous. MCIOB or RICS membership would also be beneficial, although not essential.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience.
• Profit‑related bonus scheme.
• 37.5-hour working week, Monday to Friday.
• Flexi‑time.
• 33 days' holiday including bank holidays and Christmas shutdown.
• Contributory pension scheme with 5% employer contribution.
• Employee discounts through a benefits portal.
• Opportunity to lead and develop an established estimating function.
• Exposure to major structural steel projects across the UK.
• Long-term career opportunity within an established employee‑owned business.