Cost Planning & Control Manager

Babcock & Wilcox; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Babcock & Wilcox seeks a FastPower Cost Planning & Control Manager to lead estimating and cost engineering for large new generation power plant proposals and projects.

Responsibilities include overseeing complete estimates, validating assumptions, and improving data tools and processes for better cost control and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of experience in estimating, project controls, engineering, construction, or related fields.
• Ability to read drawings and interpret specifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Excel, Office, and estimating tools; familiarity with InEight or similar IPMS.
• Experience interpreting project schedules and driving cost outcomes with Primavera.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation of complete estimates including materials, labor, subcontractors, freight, and indirect costs.
• Validate assumptions, review estimate quality, and ensure documentation is complete and consistent.
• Coordinate with Sales, Project Development, Engineering, Supply Management, and Accounting for timely inputs.
• Improve estimating data, templates, and software tools, establishing scalable database frameworks.

Skills

Reading drawings

Strong written and verbal comm.

Cost estimation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

InEight

Primavera

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

The FastPower Cost Planning & Control Manager leads the estimating and cost engineering function for large, new generation power plant proposals and projects and ensures that cost information is accurate, complete, well supported, and delivered on time. They collaborate with disciplines across the organization and coordinate with internal and external counterparts to prepare clear, reliable cost information. Fostering curiosity, open communication, and clarity around scope, drivers, and risks enhances continuous improvement of the tools, processes, and data that enable iterative learning.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and Cost Planning Oversight

• Oversee the preparation of complete estimates that include materials (bulks, sublet fabrication, engineered equipment, piping, valves, etc), construction labor, subcontractors, freight, engineering hours, project management hours, indirect allowances, and commercial considerations.
• Validate assumptions, review estimate quality, and ensure documentation is complete and consistent.
• Understand and interpret project schedules and how schedule timing and changes can influence cost and impact the overall project estimate.
• Maintain and improve estimating data, templates, and spreadsheets.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Ensure effective coordination with colleagues in Sales and Project Development, Proposal and Project Management, Engineering, Supply Management, Operations, Scheduling, Construction, and Accounting.
• Promote timely communication so that estimates reflect accurate inputs and meet proposal deadlines.
• Interface with supply chain management, suppliers, and other partners to obtain pricing, clarify scope, verify assumptions, and ensure cost inputs are accurate and current.

Risk, Pricing, and Value Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce cost through improved methods, collaboration with supply chain and suppliers, and reductions in contingency where appropriate.
• Support project and proposal reviews by presenting cost structure, key drivers, and risk considerations.
• Oversee the preparation of change estimates and updates to as-sold estimates.
• Track budget versus actual performance, identify trends or variances, and apply those insights to strengthen subsequent estimating work.

Tools and Process Improvement

• Evaluate and improve existing software tools, data resources, and methods used in estimating.
• Identify process gaps and implement improvements that increase consistency, clarity, and speed.
• Establish a modern, sustainable, and accessible database framework that supports long‑term scalability and data integrity.
• Incorporate InEight project management information software into daily estimating, cost control, and reporting activities to improve data consistency, collaboration, and project performance.

Qualifications

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs evolve.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Eight or more years of experience in estimating, project controls, engineering, construction, or related technical or commercial fields.
• Ability to read drawings and interpret specifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and estimating tools.
• Demonstrated skill interpreting project schedules in Primavera.
• Familiarity with InEight or other integrated project management information systems.