Chief Estimator

Job Title: Chief Estimator

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chief Estimator to join our team at Raymond Search Group.

Job Summary

The Chief Estimator will be responsible for managing the Estimating group and estimating with detailed pricing for development of bid quotations and bid packages. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in preparing cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining the price of a product or service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day direction of the Estimating group, including building the team, recruitment, and selection, and development of skills and abilities.
• Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
• Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
• Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
• Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
• Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
• Review contract and bid documents; review and understand scope for project turnover.
• Attend walk-throughs, pre-bid, and scope clarification meetings.
• Prepare scope letters and proposals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers, General Contractors, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Perform design/build, conceptual, and budget estimates.
• Coordinate the efforts of junior and staff-level resources in performing take-offs, issuing bills of material to vendors, and obtaining subcontractor quotes.
• Escalate critical and/or sensitive issues to the Preconstruction Manager with recommendations for resolution.
• Perform additional assignments as required by the needs of the company or as directed by executives.
• Develop budget estimates by performing accurate quantity take-offs using plans and specifications, or conceptual information.
• Examine the plans and specifications to become familiar with the job and determine the presence of any special features and/or unique requirements.
• Review job sites or plans, measure take-offs to establish quantities of materials needed.
• Complete bids in a timely fashion and in sufficient quantity to attain profitability.
• Review bid packages from estimators for final review before submitting to General Contractors/clients.
• Review estimates from subordinates, make corrections, suggestions, or approve as necessary.
• Provide copies of plans, take-offs, and all pertinent estimating data, ensuring that drawings, specifications, labor hours/days, and special requirements are clear and unambiguous.
• Formulate site requirements and exclusions for bids in conjunction with the manager and include in proposals as needed.
• Evaluate project scope changes and review and price field change orders as needed in conjunction with the manager.
• Determine pricing from the original time schedule to include overtime, delaying the original completion date, number of move-ins, weekend work, etc.
• Review, interpret, and accurately estimate the scope of work as described in the project documents.
• Develop RFQ/RFP documents for the solicitation of subcontractor proposals and vendor bids or quotations.
• Provide value engineering ideas and cost delta.
• Lead page turn exercises during internal kick-off meetings.
• Prepare general conditions and terms for proposals.
• Ensure the flow of project information is maintained and documented.
• Work and collaborate with Team Members throughout the company for specific project sector needs.
• Maintain and update estimating databases as needed to stay relevant to today's electrical work.

Requirements

• 5+ years related experience in the construction industry.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor of Science in and Master of Science in engineering or construction-related field desirable.
• Knowledge of the construction industry and contract documentation.
• Experience managing employees.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and city regulations and guidelines.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of estimating experience.
• Design-Build experience preferred.
• Knowledge of NEC, Title 24, CBC, and local codes required.
• Knowledge of the construction industry and contract documentation.
• Proficiency in Accubid, MS Word, and Excel.

Computer Skills

• Must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, (i.e., Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Familiarity with Accubid, and other electrical, technical, or construction programs.
• Familiarity with project management/document control software.
• Familiarity with construction/financial software packages.

Required Attributes

• Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism, and commitment to company values.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have excellent organizational, communication, strategic, technical, analytical, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.
• Must have high standards of quality with attention to detail.
• Must possess the ability to manage and supervise personnel.
• Must build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.
• Possess a good level of expertise in all phases of electrical and low-voltage work.

Language Skills

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in English, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of customers, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors, and suppliers, and other contractor organizations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical demands of this position are those associated with working in a typical office environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. This role requires communicating verbally and in writing one on one, in small groups, as well as presenting to larger groups of employees. This role requires the ability to work at a computer (reading and keying) for extended periods of time. The employee must move within the office to retrieve files and meet with employees in their offices or conference room. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally required to travel by car (as a passenger or driver) to Job Sites, or to attend Commercial events/training, and must have the ability to navigate around job sites.

Full benefit package including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription
• 401k with company match
• Paid holidays
• Educational assistance
• Salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Salary Range from $125,000 $160,000

We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

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