Estimating Manager

BIC Recruiting; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Standard package

Job summary

Southland in Baton Rouge, LA is seeking an Estimating Manager to lead the estimating team, oversee bid deadlines, and drive continuous improvement in the estimating process. You will review project scopes, drawings, pricing, vendor quotes, and risks to ensure accurate, competitive proposals.

The role requires 7+ years in steel fabrication estimating, 3+ years of leadership, and strong cost takeoff and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of estimating experience in steel fabrication, structural steel, industrial construction, or a closely related industry.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience, preferably managing an estimating team.
• Strong understanding of structural steel fabrication, materials, labor, equipment, and installation costs.
• Proven experience reviewing and estimating RFQs, drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and bid documents.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Experience developing accurate, competitive estimates and detailed proposals from initial RFQ through final submission.
• Strong knowledge of material takeoffs, labor costs, subcontractor/vendor pricing, markups, contingencies, and project risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, develop, and support the estimating team.
• Evaluate the current estimating organization and implement improvements.
• Establish and maintain estimating procedures, standards, and accountability.
• Manage estimating workload and ensure bid deadlines are met.
• Prepare, review, and submit bids and proposals on time.
• Communicate with customers, vendors, and internal teams throughout the estimating process.
• Coordinate RFQ reviews and identify risks or contingencies.
• Drive continuous improvement within the estimating department.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

RFQ experience

Structural steel

Read drawings

Cost estimation

Negotiation

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Estimating software

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client delivers a full spectrum of quality products and services related to the steel fabrication industry.

POSITION TITLE

Estimating Manager

COMPENSATION

Competitive Base + DOE

BENEFITS

Standard package

LOCATION

Baton Rouge, LA

SUMMARY

The Estimating Manager will lead and develop the estimating team while overseeing processes, workloads, and bid deadlines to ensure accurate and competitive proposals. This role will also review project scopes, drawings, pricing, vendor quotes, and risks while driving communication and continuous improvement throughout the estimating process.

DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, manage, develop, and support the estimating team.
• Evaluate the current estimating organization, including personnel, roles, responsibilities, procedures, and workflows, and make necessary recommendations and changes to people and/or processes to position Southland to be more responsive to our customers' requirements and expectations.
• Establish and maintain estimating procedures, standards, accountability measures, and best practices.
• Manage estimating workload and priorities to ensure bid deadlines are consistently met.
• Ensure that you and the estimating team are prepared to work the hours necessary to perform a complete and thorough evaluation of all Requests for Quotation (RFQs), bids, and proposal opportunities before submission.
• Normal work hours for Estimating Team will be 8am-430pm Monday-Friday
• Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, consistency, competitiveness, and alignment with customer requirements.
• Analyze project drawings, specifications, scopes of work, contractual requirements, and other bid documents.
• Identify project risks, pricing uncertainties, scope gaps, exclusions, and appropriate contingencies.
• Review and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project requirements.
• Utilize historical cost data, project results, and lessons learned to continuously improve estimating accuracy and competitiveness.
• Coordinate the preparation, review, approval, and timely submission of bids and proposals.
• Ensure proactive and timely communication with both internal and external customers regarding questions, clarifications, additional information required, potential delays, requests for bid extensions, scope concerns, and any other matters necessary to complete a comprehensive and thoroughly reviewed bid package.
• Establish a disciplined RFQ review process that ensures all available information has been evaluated, outstanding questions have been identified and communicated, and management has appropriate visibility into material risks or unresolved issues before a proposal is submitted.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with customers, vendors, suppliers, operations, project management, and other internal departments throughout the estimating process.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating department and across the organization as appropriate.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of estimating experience in steel fabrication, structural steel, industrial construction, or a closely related industry.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience, preferably managing an estimating team.
• Strong understanding of structural steel fabrication, materials, labor, equipment, and installation costs.
• Proven experience reviewing and estimating RFQs, drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and bid documents.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Experience developing accurate, competitive estimates and detailed proposals from initial RFQ through final submission.
• Strong knowledge of material takeoffs, labor costs, subcontractor/vendor pricing, markups, contingencies, and project risk.
• Experience identifying scope gaps, exclusions, pricing risks, and potential cost overruns before bids are submitted.
• Proven ability to review supplier and subcontractor quotes and negotiate pricing when necessary.
• Strong understanding of estimating processes, procedures, workflows, and best practices, with the ability to implement improvements.
• Experience using estimating software, ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other construction/fabrication-related software.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to utilize historical cost data and past project performance to improve future estimates.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with customers, vendors, subcontractors, project managers, operations, and executive leadership.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple bids, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and ensure bids are thoroughly reviewed and submitted on time.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, hold accountable, and improve the performance of an estimating team.