SENIOR ESTIMATOR - UK PROJECTS

Birmingham

ABOUT THE ROLE/JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Estimator will take a leading role in the Pre-construction team in the preparation of tenders with responsibility for the commercial elements of submission.

Responsible with the rest of the commercial team for formulating commercial strategies and solutions to support the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic objectives within strategic bidding activities.

To manage the estimating resource and ensure the protection of the company’s financial and corporate interests both in the preparation of bids and in operational delivery.

You will work closely with all other parts of the commercial team, Pre-Construction Manager, Directors, Legal department, Central Services and operational businesses in the preparation of tenders and works opportunities.

The Senior Estimator role involves building up estimate rates from first principals, costing and allocation of preliminary resources, contributing to and producing risk and opportunity registers as well as any other necessary commercial requirements whilst preparing the tender submission.

Work on a wide variety of tenders including Civil Engineering projects, term maintenance contracts, highway infrastructure works, airport projects and other areas of the Colas business as and when necessary.

Other essential parts of the role are to have an active day to day relationship with the Operational team and the Planner to fully focus on the most commercially advantageous solution with a balanced approach to risk for Colas to secure the contract.

You will also be working very closely with other members of the commercial and procurement teams both at tender stage through to contract award to help select sub-contractors and material suppliers. You may also to be involved with the mobilisation of contracts and have an input into the day to day running of projects once they have been awarded.

Contribution will also be required to help produce tender quality document as the Senior Estimator will understand the fundamental elements of the project and hold vital key information which may help with the quality scoring of the tender.
As well as a highly competitive salary, the company is also offering some great benefits with this role, which include:

• Competitive pension contribution
• A company car allowance or a company car with a fuel card
• 25 days annual leave per annum + the option to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave
• Flexible working
• Opportunity to study towards a professional qualification fully funded
• NI free childcare vouchers
• Ongoing training, and personal professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

REPORTS TO: ESTIMATING MANAGER

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: The Senior Estimator will operate within the financial authority levels for expenditure, set by the CEO.

MAIN ACTIVITIES:
(The duties of the job)

• To work closely with the Estimating Manager and the Pre-Construction Manager and other members of the bid and operational team in the
preparation of tenders required to meet the company strategy.
• The Senior Estimator will carry out estimating duties for all tender work, as directed by the Estimating Manager or Pre-construction Manager in
the Estimating Managers absence.
• This will include but not limited to, analysis of tender documentation, take off of quantities, use of Causeway to create tender prices,
development of activity rates and build ups from first principals, issuing of subcontract enquiries in collaboration with the Procurement team,
assessment of subcontract quotations in consultation with operational, technical and procurement staff, completion of prelims books and tender
commission papers in line with the tendered strategy.
• The Senior Estimator will be expected to be able take a lead role in the preparation and submission of the tender quality submission as required.
They will be required to operate autonomously under their own initiative on some tenders and as part of a wider team on larger tenders.
• The Senior Estimator will participate in tender handover meeting following success and tender debrief sessions whether the tender is successful
or unsuccessful.
• The Senior Estimator will participate in post contract review meeting to receive feedback on tender assumptions and their validity within the
delivery of the project.
• Develop long-term relationships with others as required in, supply chain and other partner organisations to maximise tender efficiency.
• Liaise well with all members of the estimating and commercial teams to maintain synergy in the company’s approach to these activities.
• Maintain an up to date awareness of activities and standards within Colas’ business sectors as they relate to this appointment.
• Carry out all duties and responsibilities in a manner that supports the Company Values, Beliefs, Vision and Mission.
• Demonstrate appropriate experience, training and qualifications for the post.
• Preparation of priced tender submissions, estimates and quotations required to meet the company strategy.
• Work closely with the Estimating Manager to ensure consistent and effective estimating practices are used across the business unit’s tender
activity.
• Conduct all duties and responsibilities in a manner that appropriately and adequately supports business unit operating across the country.
• Work closely with the commercial team and operational staff to ensure delivery of the tender proposals through secured contracts and to
facilitate an effective learning loop between tender proposals and contract delivery to inform future tender/contract arrangements.
• Collaborate closely with the Estimating Manager and Pre-Construction Manager to measure the effectiveness of the estimating service through
a small number of specific and focused performance indicators.
• Work with Estimating Manager and Pre-Construction Manager to continuously improve the estimating service through innovation, lessons
learned and best practice knowledge supported by demonstrable evidence of such improvement.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ideally a Chartered Member of an Institution with a recognised University or College Degree in Estimating, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying
or a related discipline
• Legal/commercial qualifications/training (beneficial)
• Demonstration of continuous professional development

EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate is likely to be currently employed as a Senior Estimator in a Civil Engineering or infrastructure industry and have experience of successfully estimating / bidding a number of important sizeable contracts in the provision of transport infrastructure or civil engineering services.

In addition to the above experience the following skills would be advantageous

• Knowledge of the construction industry and its key processes including design
• Previous experience in estimating related to asphalt and / or concrete paving
• Completing complex tenders on time, to the required quality standards.
• Needs to have all round technical understanding of the activities for which he/she is estimating, probably gained over a number of years’
experience
• Developing and implementation of commercial strategies
• Experience of risk management within the tender stages of project development
• Experience of managing supply chain input into the tender process
• Understanding and inclusion of stakeholder requirements
• Experience of build-up of rates from first principles
• Demonstrable track record of success in the work winning environment
• Strong commitment to Health & Safety, Business Improvement, Quality and Environmental principles
• Commercial understanding of all aspects tender development
• Understanding and awareness of good customer service principles and practice.
• Able to identify and implement effective business management processes.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES / SKILLS:

• Highly motivated and self-reliant.
• Experience of producing estimates for aviation / surfacing and/or civil engineering contracts.
• Experience of using Causeway estimating software packages and IT literate in Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to use Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 (beneficial)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills / ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and use own initiative.
• Committed to partnering and integration
• Committed to continuous improvement and Innovation