Treatment Plant - Mgr, Estimating - CIG

Core & Main; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Core & Main is seeking an Estimating Manager for the Critical Infrastructure Group to lead nationwide estimating operations for water, wastewater, and related projects. You will manage a team of estimators, ensure accuracy of takeoffs, and align with design-build strategies.

Collaborate with regional leadership, sales, and PreBid to drive standardized processes, provide technical direction on material selection, and develop workforce talent through coaching and mentoring.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years in bid preparation, sales or construction.
• Experience estimating and projecting for budgeting.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and tools used in construction or repair of houses and buildings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily estimating operations for all project types and complexity levels.
• Ensure accurate, consistent takeoffs and manage workloads across regions.
• Lead design-build and strategic bid support with sales and PreBid teams.
• Collaborate with regional estimating, sales and engineering to ensure scope clarity.
• Supervise Estimator I through Lead Estimator and provide coaching.
• Review workflow data and provide regular performance reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating expertise

Analytical thinking

Communication

Prioritization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Professional certification

Job description

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main's 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Job Summary:

The Estimating Manager - Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) is responsible for managing all daytoday estimating operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and highquality material takeoffs for critical infrastructure projects nationwide. This role oversees the performance, development, and workload distribution.

The Estimating Manager partners closely with regional leadership, sales teams, and PreBid teams to drive consistent estimating practices, support strategic bid pursuits, and advance designbuild engagement efforts. The position ensures that estimating processes, material recommendations, and quantity takeoffs align with organizational standards and comply with project-specific requirements.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

Estimating Operations Management

• Oversee daily estimating operations for all project types and complexity levels.
• Ensures accurate, consistent, and timely material quantity takeoffs across the regional estimating team.
• Assigns and monitors project workloads, balancing capacity across teams and regions.
• Manages work calendar.
• Reviews complex and highvisibility takeoffs submitted by seniorlevel estimators for accuracy and completeness.

Project Evaluation & Quality Assurance

• Ensure estimators interpret drawings, specifications, and bid documents according to standards.
• Implements quality control processes to validate takeoff accuracy and reduce risk.
• Engages on complex design build projects to provide technical direction on material selection, constructability considerations, and alternative solutions.

Design Build & Strategic Bid Support

• Guides teams on design build methodology, material recommendations, and earlystage project input.
• Supports estimators on major regional pursuits.
• Works with sales leadership to develop strategic bid approaches.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Alignment

• Partners with regional estimating, sales, and engineering teams to ensure scope clarity and unified estimating practices.
• Coordinates with the PreBid team to resolve specification conflicts, RFIs, and scope discrepancies.
• Serves as escalation point for vendor, contractor, and engineering clarifications.

Leadership, Coaching & Team Development

• Supervises the full estimating team including Estimator I through Lead Estimator.
• Conducts skill assessments and identifies development needs.
• Provides coaching, performance feedback, and structured mentoring to elevate technical proficiency.
• Supports senior leadership in implementing training programs and career progression paths for estimators.

DataDriven Oversight & Reporting

• Reviews workflow data, and capacity dashboards to make informed management decisions.
• Collaborate with the Regional Sales Manager along with Senior Manager, Estimating on workload planning, resource allocation, and performance optimization.
• Provides regular reporting on productivity, accuracy, and team performance.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and peoplemanagement skills
• Advanced technical expertise in infrastructure estimating
• High-level analytical and problem-solving ability
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex projects
• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline
• Ability to collaborate effectively across regional teams

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

• 5-8 years prior experience specific to bid preparation, sales or construction
• Experience estimating and projecting for budgeting.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses and buildings.
• Knowledge of business and management principles.
• Treatment Plant experience
• Strong computer skills
• Extensive product knowledge of waterworks material

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline preferred
• Equivalent professional experience considered
• Professional certification

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

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