Estimating Manager

Waterstone Human Capital; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterstone Human Capital represents a growing MEP contractor in the Southeast. They are creating a new Estimating Manager role to lead the estimating function across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and piping, with hands-on estimates from day one and a plan to build the department's systems and mentorship.

You will oversee a small team, partner with sales and executive leadership on bid strategy and pricing, and implement processes and standards to scale the department through rapid growth.

Qualifications

• Hands-on mechanical estimating background.
• Experience reading HVAC, piping, and electrical drawings and specs.
• Ability to quantify material and labor takeoffs.
• Experience with pricing and bid strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and mentor a growing estimating team (2 to 4).
• Estimate projects across mechanical, electrical, piping and plumbing.
• Bring high-level management structure and best practices to a fast-growing department.
• Partner with sales and executive leadership on bid strategy and pricing.
• Help build processes and team for future growth.

Skills

Mechanical estimating

Leadership & mentoring

Bid & takeoff process

Reading drawings & specs

Subcontractor pricing

Estimating software

Hiring & onboarding

Tools

Bluebeam

On-Screen Takeoff

Job description

Compensation: $130,000–$150,000 ( + Bonus Eligible)

The Opportunity

Our client is a growing, well-established MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing & piping) contractor serving commercial and industrial projects across the Southeast. Driven by rapid, steady growth, they're creating a brand-new leadership role to bring structure and mentorship to a team that has largely grown up through the ranks- a rare chance to build and shape an estimating department from the ground up.

Your Role

As Estimating Manager, you'll lead and grow the estimating function across all four disciplines including: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and piping. You'll roll up your sleeves and estimate directly out of the gate while building the systems, mentorship, and management structure this department needs to scale.

What You'll Do

• Oversee and mentor a growing estimating team (starting with 2, scaling toward 4)
• Work hands-on and personally estimate mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and piping projects
• Bring high-level management structure and best practices to a fast-growing department
• Partner closely with sales and executive leadership on bid strategy and pricing
• Help build the processes and team this company needs for its next phase of growth

What You'll Bring

• Strong, hands-on mechanical estimating background. Comfortable taking a project from plans to a complete, defensible bid
• Skilled at reading and quantifying mechanical drawings and specs (HVAC, piping systems, plumbing) and producing accurate material and labor takeoffs
• Working knowledge of mechanical/plumbing codes, common equipment, and installation methods well enough to catch scope gaps and risk before a bid goes out
• Comfortable soliciting and evaluating subcontractor and vendor pricing, and assembling it into a clean, competitive bid package
• Experience with estimating/takeoff software and standard construction bidding tools (Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar)
• Broader exposure to electrical and/or piping estimating is a plus, given oversight of all four disciplines
• Proven experience managing, developing, and mentoring a small team, with the instincts to grow it thoughtfully as headcount scales
• Comfortable coaching estimators who've grown up through the ranks — reinforcing strong instincts with more structured processes and standards
• Experience hiring and onboarding as a team expands, not just managing steady-state
• A hands-on, present leadership style — someone who leads by example on the estimates while still building out the department
• Adaptable and organized enough to bring order to a fast-moving, rapidly growing environment without slowing it down
• No specific degree required — real-world mechanical estimating and leadership experience matters most