Job Details

Are you an experienced Estimator with a strong background in civil engineering, highways, earthworks, drainage or building projects?

Do you have experience producing detailed first-principles estimates within a competitive tendering environment?

Are you looking for a permanent opportunity with a successful infrastructure contractor offering flexible working, varied projects and long-term career development?

Location: Chorley or Carlisle + 1 day working from home per week
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 per annum for an Estimator, with potential flexibility up to £70,000 for an experienced Senior Estimator
Benefits:
andmiddot;£6,335 car allowance or company car
andmiddot;26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
andmiddot;Option to purchase an additional five days of annual leave
andmiddot;4.5% employer pension contribution
andmiddot;£150 health cash plan
andmiddot;One day working from home each week
andmiddot;Flexible working with core hours of 9:30am to 4:00pm
andmiddot;40-hour working week
andmiddot;Award-winning training and professional development opportunities
andmiddot;Two paid volunteering days each year

Role Overview:

My client is looking to appoint an experienced Estimator or Senior Estimator to join its pre-construction and work-winning team, based from either Chorley or Carlisle.

The position will involve preparing high-quality, commercially viable tenders across a varied portfolio of infrastructure and construction projects. Work may include highways, earthworks, drainage, reinforced concrete, buildings, water, power and general civil engineering schemes.

This is not a role focused solely on negotiated frameworks. The successful candidate must have experience working within competitive tendering environments and be comfortable building detailed estimates from first principles, including labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, preliminaries and production outputs.

You will manage tenders from initial allocation through to submission and contract award, working closely with operational, commercial, procurement and delivery teams to develop robust construction methodologies and competitive pricing strategies.

The successful candidate will join a small and collaborative estimating team and will have the opportunity to bring additional sector knowledge, construction experience and new ideas into the business. Rail experience would be beneficial but is not essential, as the business is particularly interested in candidates with broader civil engineering, highways, building or water experience.

The role would ideally suit someone from a main contractor background, although candidates with multidisciplinary subcontractor experience will also be considered. Applicants coming from consultancy or client-side environments should have previous contractor experience and a strong understanding of practical construction delivery.

Key Responsibilities:
andmiddot;Manage multiple tenders from initial enquiry and allocation through to submission, negotiation and contract award
andmiddot;Produce detailed first-principles estimates covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and preliminaries
andmiddot;Review drawings, specifications, bills of quantities, contract documents and tender information
andmiddot;Assess construction methodologies, resource requirements, temporary works and production outputs
andmiddot;Interrogate and challenge resource levels, cost models, assumptions and pricing strategies
andmiddot;Apply relevant methods of measurement, including MCHW, CESMM and similar industry standards
andmiddot;Identify and evaluate tender risks, opportunities, exclusions and commercial considerations
andmiddot;Obtain, review and negotiate competitive quotations from subcontractors and suppliers
andmiddot;Develop value engineering proposals, efficiencies and alternative delivery solutions
andmiddot;Lead tender meetings and coordinate input from operational, commercial and technical teams
andmiddot;Maintain clear communication with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders
andmiddot;Prepare accurate tender submissions that are commercially competitive and technically robust
andmiddot;Support post-tender negotiations and respond to client clarifications
andmiddot;Prepare detailed project handovers, clearly communicating allowances, assumptions, risks and opportunities
andmiddot;Support lessons learned and continuous improvement across estimating and work-winning activities
andmiddot;For Senior Estimator applicants, provide support, guidance and mentoring to junior members of the estimating team

Essential Requirements:
andmiddot;A minimum of five years' estimating experience within construction or civil engineering
andmiddot;Senior Estimator applicants will ideally have ten or more years' relevant experience
andmiddot;Strong experience producing first-principles estimates
andmiddot;Proven experience working within competitive tendering environments
andmiddot;Experience reviewing tender documentation and identifying pricing, contractual and delivery risks

Desirable Requirements:
andmiddot;Previous estimating experience with a main contractor or multidisciplinary civil engineering or construction subcontractor experience
andmiddot;Experience estimating highways, earthworks, drainage, reinforced concrete, building or water infrastructure projects
andmiddot;Knowledge of MCHW, CESMM and other recognised methods of measurement
andmiddot;Experience pricing projects for local authorities, National Highways, the Environment Agency, Network Rail or Tier 1 contractors
andmiddot;A practical construction, site engineering or operational background
andmiddot;HNC or higher qualification in Construction, Civil Engineering, the Built Environment or a related discipline
andmiddot;Experience supporting successful tender submissions and wider work-winning activities

The successful candidate will be based in the office for a minimum of four days per week, with one day available to work from home. Occasional travel to project sites, client meetings and other regional offices may also be required.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a financially secure and growing infrastructure contractor delivering projects across multiple sectors. The business offers a supportive working environment, strong career development opportunities and a culture focused on producing high-quality work and developing its people.

If you are interested in applying for this Estimator or Senior Estimator position, please email your CV to (url removed) or contact us for a confidential discussion.