Estimator

The Estimator is responsible for the support and preparation of pricing for tenders/bids and other opportunities identified by the business, from receipt of documents through to presentation at tender review and final completion of submission documents.  

Click the link for the job description, responsibilities, and qualifications - COMF02 -

• Working closely within a bid team and be responsible for the preparation of the analytical estimate
• Preparation of preliminaries (On-cost) pricing (In conjunction with Tender Planner)
• Presentation of the estimate at bid team meetings and final settlement of bid with support from either the lead estimator or managing estimator. Working to strict deadlines
• Experience of pricing work under various forms of contract including Traditional NEC, Target Cost, Design & Build, Specification & Drawing or ECI bids
• Preparation of quantities from drawings and specifications
• Prepare abstract of material and sub-contract requirements for sourcing and pricing
• Technical and commercial appraisal of material and subcontractor quotations
• Preparation of analytical estimates including the detailed appraisal of construction plant and temporary works
• In conjunction with the bid team, participate in the generation of value-engineered solutions throughout the bid stage design process and report on the cost effects of such solutions
• Contribute to the submission document preparation
• Contribute to the identification of risk and pricing of risks throughout the bid  
• Attend site visits during tender period
• Use of estimating software as a basis of preparing the estimate
• Evaluate construction methods and formulate alternative proposals where necessary in conjunction with the bid team and tender planner 

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential 

• Produces an accurate key estimating requirements schedule and programme.
• Reviews a set of tender documents and produces an estimating strategy for of all the key estimating deliverables. Creates a checklist of key requirements for later use in establishing compliancy.  Fully understands the scope of the project and customer's requirements.
• Contributes to a Supply Chain Gate 3 and Procurement Strategy and identifies key work packages and documents for inclusion in the supply chain enquiries.
• Maintains accurate and clear estimating notes, clarifications and assumptions.
• Understands and applies relevant professional standards to estimating any given project.
• Produces a Cash flow profile for a project and establishes the financial, contractual and time implications that drive the cashflow. Including developing strategies that generate positive cashflow for the business.
• Procures quantities for the project estimate either personally or via and external supplier. Establishes and agrees the required work breakdown structure for collating the estimate. Obtains and analyses fee proposals from suppliers to ensure we have a competitive price for undertaking this role if executed externally. Establishes methods for quantities checking and risk mitigation.  
• Undertakes the pricing of temporary works in conjunction with the planner, temporary works engineer and technical lead. Prepares a marked-up schedule of temporary works packages and associated documentation for release to the supply chain and ensure that the works have been divided into practical works packages suitable for procurement.
• Identifies requirements, obtains fee proposals and makes provision within the bid for necessary design fees, statutory charges, and surveys to deliver the project.  
• Prepares for and undertakes a site visit and produces a comprehensive site visit report that establishes a record of all relevant site constraints and conditions that may have an impact upon the pricing of the works.   Updates the project risk register with any relevant risks identified during the site visit.
• Achieves the relevant safety training to access a live site to undertake site inspections and visits during the estimating stage for the project.
• Arranges for all External and Internal Supplier market testing to be undertake during the estimating stage. Establishes a market testing programme and monitor progress of enquiries and chase up suppliers as necessary. Ensures amendments are issued to the suppliers during the bid period and any returned quotes are stored securely for future reference.
• Undertakes the pricing of consultancy rates for providing a specified level of service.  
• Prepares a detailed analysis of all returned supplier quotations and the work scope has been properly priced and included for.  
• Provides all necessary checks and balances to reduce the risk of pricing errors in quantity and scope of the works.  Ensures that no unpriced items remain un-reviewed and that the full scope of the work has been covered.
• Undertakes the pricing of the preliminary's workbook. Agrees the requirements for Staffing, Attendant Labour, Accommodation, Key Plant and equipment, Health and Safety requirements, IT setup, Insurances & Bonding requirements, Temporary Works, Fees and all other necessary on-costs for the project.  
• Understands the principles and practice of risk management and the relevance and use of theories, processes and tools.
• Develops and implements methods of recording risks and opportunities for the project estimate and contributes to developing the strategies for mitigation.
• Prepares for and contributes to Risk and Opportunity (Workshops) from the estimating perspective.  
• Communicates well both written and verbally at all workshops and meeting from the estimating perspective.  
• Demonstrates good practice in respect of the storage and retrieval of historical estimating information and benchmarking information.
• Analyses historical data for use in benchmarking a current estimate proposal.
• Demonstrates good practice in respect of document control and the storage and retrieval of general estimating records.
• Understands the importance of good document control during the bid process and applies techniques to preserve data for the project

Desirable

• Experience working in an Estimating role. Experienced in pricing medium to large value civil engineering works in the highways, rail, nuclear and water sectors would be an advantage.
• Customer Focused, Open and Honest, Safe and Environmentally aware, Team Players, Accountable, Improving Continuously and so the Natural Choice
• Must be commercially aware and a lateral thinker with a knowledge of various Forms of Contract
• Good communication skills with other members of the team and with external contacts. Must be a good team player and always adopt a positive "can-do" approach 

Essential 

• Degree level qualified or equivalent in a Civil Engineering or Building related discipline. 

Desirable

• Working towards being chartered

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