Senior Estimator - Hybrid

Had Fab Limited; Bellshill; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Had-Fab is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to own complex tenders for structural steel projects across the UK's energy and infrastructure sectors. You’ll lead tender development from enquiry to submission, analysing drawings and customer requirements to build robust cost models and secure margins.

You’ll collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Production and Commercial teams, review bids for commercial risk, and drive improvements to estimating processes.

Qualifications

• Experience as Estimator or Senior Estimator in steel fabrication or structural steel.
• Strong technical understanding of steel fabrication processes.
• Experience developing detailed estimates and cost models.
• Excellent Excel skills and experience with ERP/CRM or estimating systems.
• Strong commercial awareness with ability to price risk.
• Experience managing complex tenders from enquiry to submission.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and submission of complex tenders for structural and fabricated steelwork.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and customer enquiry documentation.
• Develop accurate estimates covering materials, fabrication, welding, labour, subcontracting, transport and associated costs.
• Determine realistic fabrication and production hours based on project complexity.
• Identify technical, operational and commercial risks before tender submission.
• Manage assumptions, exclusions, qualifications and clarifications.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities to improve competitiveness.
• Protect required margins while developing commercially competitive proposals.
• Prepare professional quotations and tender submissions.
• Support customer discussions and negotiations around scope, price, programme and commercial requirements.
• Peer-review estimates to ensure accuracy, consistency and commercial robustness.
• Work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Production, Projects and Commercial teams throughout the tender process.
• Ensure successful tenders are handed over into Projects and Operations.
• Maintain accurate estimating, CRM and commercial information.
• Use historical project performance and actual costs to improve future estimating accuracy.
• Support continuous improvement across estimating processes, systems and cost models.

Skills

Tendering

Estimating

Structural steel

Commercial awareness

Excel

ERP/CRM

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Tools

ERP

CRM

Estimating software

Job description

Had-Fab is a growing engineering and fabrication business delivering major projects across the UK’s energy and infrastructure sectors.

With a significant portfolio of contracts secured and continued investment in our people, facilities and manufacturing capabilities, we’re strengthening our Commercial & Estimating team to support the next stage of our growth.

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Estimator with strong knowledge of structural steel, fabrication and manufacturing to take ownership of complex tenders and help Had-Fab secure the next generation of major projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estimator who combines strong technical knowledge with commercial judgement and understands what it takes to develop competitive, accurate and commercially robust tenders.

The Role

Working closely with our Estimating & Commercial Manager, you’ll take responsibility for tenders from initial enquiry and technical review through to final submission and handover.

You’ll analyse drawings, specifications and customer requirements, develop detailed cost models, establish realistic material and fabrication costs, identify commercial and technical risks and ensure our submissions protect the required margin while remaining competitive.

As a senior member of the team, you’ll also support the review of estimates, share knowledge with colleagues and contribute to improving Had-Fab’s estimating processes and capability.7

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the preparation and submission of complex tenders for structural and fabricated steelwork.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and customer enquiry documentation.
• Develop accurate estimates covering materials, fabrication, welding, labour, subcontracting, transport and associated costs.
• Determine realistic fabrication and production hours based on the complexity and requirements of each project.
• Identify technical, operational and commercial risks before tender submission.
• Manage assumptions, exclusions, qualifications and clarifications.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities and alternative solutions that improve competitiveness.
• Protect required margins while developing commercially competitive proposals.
• Prepare professional quotations and tender submissions.
• Support customer discussions and negotiations around scope, price, programme and commercial requirements.
• Peer-review estimates to ensure accuracy, consistency and commercial robustness.
• Work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Production, Projects and Commercial teams throughout the tender process.
• Ensure successful tenders are effectively handed over into Projects and Operations.
• Maintain accurate estimating, CRM and commercial information.
• Use historical project performance and actual costs to improve future estimating accuracy.
• Support continuous improvement across estimating processes, systems and cost models.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within steel fabrication, structural steel, engineering or a similar manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical understanding of steel fabrication and manufacturing processes.
• Confidence interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Experience developing detailed estimates and cost models.
• Good understanding of fabrication, welding, material and labour requirements.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify and price risk.
• Experience managing complex tenders from enquiry through to submission.
• Confidence challenging assumptions and identifying potential commercial exposure.
• Strong supplier, subcontractor and customer management skills.
• Strong Excel capability and experience working with ERP, CRM or estimating systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• A proactive approach with the drive to identify opportunities and win business.

We’re looking for someone who can bring experience and commercial judgement to the Estimating function — someone who can challenge information, identify risk, improve tender quality, support colleagues and help Had-Fab make informed decisions about the opportunities we pursue.

If you have the technical knowledge, commercial mindset and hunger to win, we want to hear from you.