Estimator/ Project Administrator

Pronel Personnel; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Pronel Personnel is seeking a meticulous Technical Estimator & Project Administrator in Pietermaritzburg to handle technical pricing, procurement, and project administration. You will interpret drawings, calculate costs, and prepare tenders while coordinating supplier terms and contract management.

The role requires strong MS Excel skills, experience with cost estimating and tendering, and the ability to manage invoicing and debtors within a dynamic engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost estimating, quoting, tender pricing, or purchasing within a technical, engineering, HVAC, or construction environment.
• Reading and interpreting technical/engineering drawings; engineering background is a plus.
• Advanced MS Excel skills are essential; proficiency with MS Word and MS Outlook required; willingness to learn in-house pricing/ERP software.

Responsibilities

• Estimating, costing, and submitting detailed quotes; monitor live project expenditure against budgets.
• Read and extract material, labor, and technical specs from drawings for pricing.
• Compile tender pricing, negotiate supplier terms, source materials, and coordinate procurement logistics.
• Maintain service contracts, schedule planning, process invoicing, track debtors, and update tracking schedules.
• Uphold company operations standards and general administrative duties.

Skills

Cost estimating

Tender pricing

Quoting

Purchasing

Negotiation

Financial acumen

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Technical drawings

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Outlook

ERP software

Job description

Technical Estimator & Project Administrator

Industry: Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration / Technical Engineering

Location: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Working Hours: Mon – Thu: 07:30 – 16:30 | Fri: 07:30 – 16:00

About the Company

We are a well-established, specialized cooling and engineering solutions provider operating in KwaZulu-Natal. With a strong track record of operational excellence, we deliver commercial and industrial refrigeration services, custom installations, and ongoing technical maintenance to a diverse commercial client portfolio. We pride ourselves on technical precision, structural efficiency, and a dedicated team culture.

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-driven, organized Technical Estimator & Project Administrator to join our Pietermaritzburg team.

This multi-faceted role sits at the intersection of technical pricing, procurement, and project administration. You will be responsible for interpreting technical drawings, calculating accurate job costs, compiling tenders, negotiating with suppliers, and overseeing core financial administration including invoicing, debtor tracking, and service contract maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimating & Costing: Prepare, cost, and submit detailed quotes; manage job costing and monitor live project expenditure against budgets.

• Drawing Interpretation: Read and extract material, labor, and technical specifications from drawings to relay onto pricing systems.

• Tenders & Procurement: Compile tender pricing, negotiate supplier terms, source specialized materials, and coordinate procurement logistics.

• Project Administration: Maintain service contracts, schedule planning, process invoicing, track debtors, and maintain up-to-date tracking schedules.

• General Compliance: Execute administrative functions while upholding company operational standards and procedures.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Previous experience in cost estimating, quoting, tender pricing, or purchasing within a technical, engineering, HVAC, or construction environment.

• Technical Aptitude: Demonstrated ability to read and interpret technical/engineering drawings. A basic background or qualification in engineering is a strong advantage.

• Software Proficiency:

  • Advanced/Strong MS Excel skills (essential).

  • Proficient in MS Word and MS Outlook.

  • Capability to learn specialized in-house pricing/ERP software (full training provided).

• Skills: Strong negotiation capabilities, financial acumen (invoicing/debtors), excellent organizational skills, and precise attention to detail.

• Location: Must reside in or around Pietermaritzburg with reliable transport.