Senior Estimator

Kent Power Co.; Rockford (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent Power Co. is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead complex estimating across utility, transmission, distribution, substation, and natural gas projects.

This role provides technical leadership to the estimating team and partners with operations leadership to ensure accurate, competitive bids. The Senior Estimator will drive estimating processes, mentor estimators, analyze RFPs, and support business development while developing people, processes, and tools that strengthen Kent Power's estimating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of utility construction, electrical construction, transmission, distribution, or related infrastructure experience.
• 5+ years of estimating experience.
• Experience with Bluebeam, Procore, HCSS HeavyBid, B2W, Forma, Accubid, or comparable estimating systems.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and leading complex project estimates.
• Proven understanding of utility construction means, methods, labor, equipment, and material pricing.
• Advanced financial and cost-analysis skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and preparation of high-value and highly complex project estimates.
• Establish and maintain estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Review and approve estimates prepared by estimators to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Lead bid strategy discussions with executive, operational, and project leadership teams.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for estimating methodologies, production rates, and cost models.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases, labor units, production standards, and benchmarking tools.
• Analyze RFPs, plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Identify project risks, constructability concerns, and pricing opportunities.
• Evaluate alternative construction methods and value-engineering opportunities.
• Collaborate with Operations and Project Management teams to validate labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor assumptions.
• Support project turnover meetings and transition of awarded projects.
• Analyze estimate-to-actual performance and provide lessons learned.
• Assist leadership with forecasting workload, staffing needs, and market opportunities.
• Support annual budgeting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Mentor and develop estimators and estimating support staff.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to increase estimating capability throughout the organization.
• Promote consistency and accountability across the estimating team.
• Support customer relationship development through participation in pre-bid meetings and industry events.
• Monitor bid results, market conditions, and industry trends to enhance competitiveness.
• Participate in proposal presentations and customer discussions when required.
• Assist leadership in evaluating new market opportunities and service offerings.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating function.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Project prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

Bluebeam

Procore

HCSS HeavyBid

B2W

Forma

Accubid

Job description

Summary

The Senior Estimator serves as the estimating subject matter expert for Kent Power and is responsible for leading complex estimating activities across utility, transmission, distribution, substation, and natural gas infrastructure projects. This role provides technical leadership to the estimating team, develops estimating processes and standards, provides mentorship to estimators, and partners with operations leadership to ensure accurate, competitive, and profitable project bids.

Summary

The Senior Estimator serves as the estimating subject matter expert for Kent Power and is responsible for leading complex estimating activities across utility, transmission, distribution, substation, and natural gas infrastructure projects. This role provides technical leadership to the estimating team, develops estimating processes and standards, provides mentorship to estimators, and partners with operations leadership to ensure accurate, competitive, and profitable project bids.

The Senior Estimator plays a critical role in driving business growth through strategic estimating leadership, including identifying project risks, validating pricing strategies, supporting business development efforts, and developing the people, processes, and tools that strengthen Kent Power's estimating organization.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development and preparation of high-value and highly complex project estimates.
• Establish and maintain estimating standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Review and approve estimates prepared by estimators to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Lead bid strategy discussions with executive, operational, and project leadership teams.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for estimating methodologies, production rates, and cost models.
• Develop and maintain historical cost databases, labor units, production standards, and benchmarking tools.
• Analyze RFPs, plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Identify project risks, constructability concerns, and pricing opportunities.
• Evaluate alternative construction methods and value-engineering opportunities.
• Collaborate with Operations and Project Management teams to validate labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor assumptions.
• Support project turnover meetings and transition of awarded projects.
• Analyze estimate-to-actual performance and provide lessons learned.
• Assist leadership with forecasting workload, staffing needs, and market opportunities.
• Support annual budgeting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Mentor and develop estimators and estimating support staff.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to increase estimating capability throughout the organization.
• Promote consistency and accountability across the estimating team.
• Support customer relationship development through participation in pre-bid meetings and industry events.
• Monitor bid results, market conditions, and industry trends to enhance competitiveness.
• Participate in proposal presentations and customer discussions when required.
• Assist leadership in evaluating new market opportunities and service offerings.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the estimating function.

Qualifications

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.
• 7+ years of utility construction, electrical construction, transmission, distribution, or related infrastructure experience.
• 5+ years of estimating experience.
• Experience with Bluebeam, Procore, HCSS HeavyBid, B2W, Forma, Accubid, or comparable estimating systems.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and leading complex project estimates.
• Proven understanding of utility construction means, methods, labor, equipment, and material pricing.
• Expert ability to interpret plans, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.
• Advanced financial and cost-analysis skills.
• Ability to assess and quantify project risk.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong project prioritization and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead multiple large-scale bids simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and estimating software platforms.