Estimating Manager

Synectics Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Synectics Inc. in Elk Grove Village, IL is seeking an Estimating Manager to lead the estimating function for electrical and lighting projects. The role combines hands-on estimation with team leadership to develop accurate, competitive bids for large opportunities.

You will manage the estimating pipeline, mentor the team, and collaborate with sales, purchasing, project management, and operations to ensure timely handoffs and margin-focused outcomes.

Qualifications

• Management-level experience in electrical and/or lighting estimating.
• Strong knowledge of the electrical and lighting distribution industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or mentoring estimators.
• Ability to independently estimate large and complex electrical and lighting projects.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, specifications, electrical drawings, fixture schedules, and bid requirements.
• Experience with electrical and lighting manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and project teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple bids, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Strong Excel and estimating software skills.
• Experience with HubSpot is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team.
• Oversee the estimating pipeline and assign projects based on workload, complexity, and deadlines.
• Personally prepare and review estimates for large, complex, and high-priority opportunities.
• Review construction plans, specifications, fixture schedules, electrical drawings, addenda, and other bid documents.
• Develop accurate material takeoffs, pricing, and estimates for electrical and lighting packages.
• Work with manufacturers and vendors to obtain competitive pricing, lead times, alternates, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Ensure estimates are complete, accurate, competitive, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Establish and improve estimating standards, processes, tools, and best practices.
• Track estimating accuracy and identify opportunities to improve margins and reduce errors.
• Collaborate with sales, purchasing, project management, operations, and other internal teams throughout the bidding and project handoff process.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, substitutions, and potential project risks before bids are submitted.
• Support sales teams with pricing strategies and technical expertise for key opportunities.
• Develop an effective handoff process from estimating to the teams responsible for executing awarded projects.
• Help build and maintain a high-performing estimating department capable of supporting organizational growth.

Skills

Team leadership

Estimating

Electrical estimating

Excel

HubSpot

Bid management

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Estimating software

Excel

Job description

Estimating Manager- Electrical & Lighting

About The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead its estimating function and support continued growth within the electrical and lighting industry.

This is a hands-on leadership position for an experienced estimating professional who understands electrical and lighting distribution, can develop accurate and competitive project estimates, and has the leadership skills necessary to manage a team, prioritize opportunities, and meet demanding deadlines.

The Estimating Manager will oversee the estimating team while personally supporting major, complex, and strategic opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team.
• Oversee the estimating pipeline and assign projects based on workload, complexity, and deadlines.
• Personally prepare and review estimates for large, complex, and high-priority opportunities.
• Review construction plans, specifications, fixture schedules, electrical drawings, addenda, and other bid documents.
• Develop accurate material takeoffs, pricing, and estimates for electrical and lighting packages.
• Work with manufacturers and vendors to obtain competitive pricing, lead times, alternates, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Ensure estimates are complete, accurate, competitive, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Establish and improve estimating standards, processes, tools, and best practices.
• Track estimating accuracy and identify opportunities to improve margins and reduce errors.
• Collaborate with sales, purchasing, project management, operations, and other internal teams throughout the bidding and project handoff process.
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, substitutions, and potential project risks before bids are submitted.
• Support sales teams with pricing strategies and technical expertise for key opportunities.
• Develop an effective handoff process from estimating to the teams responsible for executing awarded projects.
• Help build and maintain a high-performing estimating department capable of supporting organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Management-level experience in electrical and/or lighting estimating.
• Strong knowledge of the electrical and lighting distribution industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or mentoring estimators.
• Ability to independently estimate large and complex electrical and lighting projects.
• Strong understanding of construction documents, specifications, electrical drawings, fixture schedules, and bid requirements.
• Experience working with electrical and lighting manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and project teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple bids, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across sales, purchasing, project management, and operations teams.
• Strong Excel and estimating software skills.
• Experience with HubSpot is strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines strong estimating expertise with effective leadership skills. This individual should enjoy developing team members and improving processes while remaining willing to personally manage complex or high-priority estimates when needed.

The successful candidate will understand that effective estimating involves more than preparing material takeoffs. It requires understanding project requirements, identifying risks, finding cost and value opportunities, securing competitive vendor pricing, communicating effectively with sales and operations teams, and supporting profitable business growth.

Work Environment & Travel

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Some travel will be required to visit jobsites and the client's East Coast branch.

Our client offers an opportunity for an experienced estimating professional to play a significant role in developing the estimating function, supporting strategic opportunities, and contributing to the organization's continued growth within the electrical and lighting industry.