D Horne Services Ltd
Commercial & Estimating Manager – Civils, Utilities & Land Services

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About Us
D Horne Services Ltd delivers civils, utilities support, cable works, groundworks, operated plant hire, forestry/site clearance, tree works, fencing, concrete works and renewable-sector infrastructure across South West Scotland and beyond.
We support major contractors across the renewables, utilities and infrastructure sectors and are expanding our capability to secure larger civils and land-service opportunities as the business continues to grow.
We are now recruiting a Commercial & Estimating Manager – Civils, Utilities & Land Services to take full ownership of pricing, commercial management, job costings, procurement, stock systems, transport costings and digital workflow improvements.
This is a key strategic role that will directly influence the commercial strength and future growth of the business.
The Role
This is a senior, multi-discipline commercial role covering estimating, procurement, job costing, commercial submissions, stock control and operational commercial support.
You will lead all commercial and estimating activity within DHS, ensuring accurate pricing, fast tender turnaround, strong margin protection and professional client communication.
You will also be responsible for pulling together all job information to produce full costings for invoicing, supporting planning, and overseeing workshop/yard stock systems.
You will play a key role in supporting the integration and setup of a new job management system, helping design and implement improved digital workflows across the business.
This is a full-time office-based role, with site visits as required.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Pricing
- Price all civils, utilities support, cable trenching, groundworks, fencing, concrete works, arb/forestry, tree works and ground maintenance contracts
- Build professional costing sheets, BOQs, rate sheets and tender templates
- Prepare and submit tenders, quotes and NEC-aligned commercial submissions
- Review client scopes, drawings and specifications to ensure accurate pricing
- Attend site visits, carry out measures and clarify scope gaps with clients
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Commercial Management
- Identify variations and compensation events, prepare submissions and protect margin
- Support invoicing by providing accurate commercial breakdowns and responding to client queries
- Work with the Operations Manager to support planning, durations and job sequencing
- Assist with business development by identifying opportunities and supporting client engagement
- Develop commercial systems, templates and workflows to improve pricing speed, accuracy and consistency
Job Costing & Close-Out
- Pull all job information together (labour, plant, materials, variations, measures, photos, delivery notes)
- Produce full job costings for invoicing
- Ensure all commercial records are complete, accurate and submitted on time
Procurement & Materials Pricing
- Source and negotiate material and subcontractor pricing
- Build preferred supplier lists and maintain competitive rates
- Price all materials, consumables and subcontractor elements for jobs
Workshop, Yard & Transport Commercial Control
- Oversee workshop and yard stock systems, ensuring accurate tracking and replenishment
- Work with the workshop team to cost repairs, maintenance and internal works
- Manage in-house transport costings, including fuel, haulage, deliveries and internal fleet usage
- Support commercial reporting for plant, vehicles and workshop operations
Digital Workflow & System Development


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Support the integration and setup of a new job management system
- Ensure commercial, job costing and stock processes are fully integrated
- Work with the Director and Operations Manager to streamline digital job management
Essential Experience
- Strong background in civils, utilities support, cable trenching, ducting or similar infrastructure works
- Experience pricing multi-discipline packages (civils, fencing, concrete, arb/forestry, ground maintenance)
- Ability to build BOQs, costing sheets and tender packs
- Understanding of NEC Option A/B basics, variations and compensation events
- Confident dealing with clients, scopes, drawings and specifications
- Strong commercial awareness and margin protection mindset
- Experience with digital job management or workflow systems
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of commercial delivery
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable (Not Essential)
- Experience working with major contractors
- Knowledge of renewable infrastructure civils
- Experience with tender portals and commercial submissions
- Experience in utilities reinstatement or cable route civils
- Ability to support business development and identify new work opportunities
What We Offer
- £55,000–£65,000 salary depending on experience
- Company vehicle
- A senior role with real influence over company growth
- Direct involvement in civils, utilities and land-service projects
- Opportunity to build DHS’s commercial department from the ground up
- Long-term progression as the business expands
Apply
If you have strong civils/utilities experience and can price multi-discipline packages while managing commercial systems, procurement and job costings, we’d like to hear from you.
REF-229 603
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location