Chief Estimator (Heavy Highway/Paving)

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Palmer, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Peckham Industries Inc. seeks a seasoned Chief Estimator to lead the estimating team for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects across NH, MA, CT, and RI. You will guide bid strategies, review plans and costs, and ensure timely, accurate submissions in collaboration with operations.

You will manage risk, monitor market conditions, and mentor estimators to improve bid performance while maintaining strong customer and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience estimating asphalt paving or heavy highway work.
• Experience estimating DOT projects in the $5 million to $45 million range.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, assign work to, and mentor the estimating team across the four-state market.
• Review plans, specifications, site conditions, quantities, costs, and production assumptions before bid submission.
• Track market conditions, competitors, upcoming opportunities, and pricing trends to guide bidding decisions.
• Communicate bid strategy, risk, and financial exposure clearly to leadership and operations teams.
• Maintain relationships with customers, subcontractors, and suppliers to support competitive bids.
• Lead project handoffs and document key bid assumptions, risks, and commitments.
• Compare estimated costs with actual results and use those findings to improve future bids.
• Develop estimates and bid strategies for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects, including major DOT work.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

Bid2Win (B2W)

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Project

Job description

Introduction

Peckham Industries Inc. (PII) has been a family run business since 1924 and we believe our “family by choice” ethos delivers value as the trusted supplier of construction materials, products, and services in the communities we serve. Through our extensive network of hot mix asphalt and ready-mix concrete plants, quarries, and liquid asphalt terminals, PII delivers the highest quality materials and custom solutions to thousands of road construction and road maintenance customers.

Overview

The Chief Estimator leads estimating for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. This role manages a team of estimators and ensures bids are submitted on time, accurately priced, and achievable in the field. The Chief Estimator brings knowledge of each market to bid strategy and works with operations to improve bid performance.

Responsibilities

• Results matter. Lead, assign work to, and mentor the estimating team across the four-state market.
• Focused. Review plans, specifications, site conditions, quantities, costs, and production assumptions before bid submission.
• Obligated. Track market conditions, competitors, upcoming opportunities, and pricing trends to guide bidding decisions.
• Communicate bid strategy, risk, and financial exposure clearly to leadership and operations teams.
• Respect and engage. Maintain relationships with customers, subcontractors, and suppliers to support competitive bids.
• Lead project handoffs and document key bid assumptions, risks, and commitments.
• Compare estimated costs with actual results and use those findings to improve future bids.
• Ownership and caring. Maintain consistent estimating procedures, tools, and bid review practices.
• Mastery. Develop estimates and bid strategies for asphalt paving and heavy highway projects, including major DOT work.
• Work with operations and project managers to confirm that bids reflect how the work will be built.
• Compulsive tinkering. Evaluate alternative construction methods and value engineering opportunities to optimize project costs.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience estimating asphalt paving or heavy highway work.
• Experience estimating DOT projects in the $5 million to $45 million range.
• Proficient using Bid2Win (B2W), Microsoft Excel, Word, and Project.
• Strong knowledge of regional paving markets, public bidding, and DOT specifications.
• Good understanding of construction means and methods, crew and equipment production rates, material sourcing, trucking, and plant operations.
• Proven ability to identify estimating risk, develop practical contingencies, and make sound bid/no-bid recommendations.
• Collaborate with leadership and operations leadership to evaluate bid opportunities, assess risk, and make the best decisions for the company.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and reviewing the work of other estimators.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficient verbal and written English.
• Legal right to work in the U.S.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The actual rate or salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, and other legitimate business considerations, consistent with applicable law and the Company’s compensation practices.

Travel:

Position may require up to 20% travel by personal vehicle to offices throughout New England based on the needs of the business.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

This is mostly sedentary outside of traveling to construction sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers. The job will require frequent traveling in the field and various construction sites. This would require the ability to sit at a desk, frequent walking, bend or stand as necessary.

Values:

At Peckham, you will experience our values wherever you work: corporate offices, plants, quarries, or paving operations. We share a common set of values - safety, integrity, dedication, and efficiency which are embedded in how we show up every day. Ours is a culture where we protect family and friends, our word is our bond, we are committed to serve and results matter. Our values are the foundation of our growth, and we believe will pave the way for future success.