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Reports to: Head of Commercial Location: Manchester Salary: Competitive, with benefits package
Purpose of the Role
The Estimator for the Water Division will play a critical role in supporting the company's growth from £50m to £200m turnover by developing accurate, competitive, and commercially robust cost estimates for water, waste water, and wider utility projects. This role will provide key input into bids, tenders, and frameworks, ensuring the business secures profitable work and builds long-term, sustainable relationships with clients. Working closely with the commercial, operations, and procurement teams, the Estimator will provide detailed cost breakdowns, risk assessments, and value engineering opportunities to support the company's position as a leading Tier 1 utility contractor.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Cost Management
- Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates for water, waste water, and wider utility contracts, including labour, materials, plant, and subcontractors.
- Develop pricing models and tender submissions that are competitive while protecting margin.
- Identify cost risks and opportunities, providing recommendations for value engineering and efficiency improvements.
Bid & Tender Support
- Support the preparation of bids and tenders, ensuring estimates are aligned with client requirements and commercial strategy.
- Work with the Head of Commercial, Head of Water, and Bid Teams to produce high-quality tender documentation.
- Contribute to bid reviews and presentations to the Executive and Board.
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Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage with procurement, operations, and engineering teams to validate estimates and ensure deliverability.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors to secure competitive pricing and reliable data.
- Support mobilisation teams in the handover of successful bids into live delivery.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure estimates are compliant with client, regulatory, and company standards.
- Maintain accurate estimating records, databases, and benchmarking information.
- Provide regular reporting to the Head of Commercial on estimating pipeline, performance, and risks.
Continuous Improvement
- Introduce improved estimating processes, tools, and systems to support the business's growth to £200m turnover.
- Benchmark costs across the industry to ensure competitiveness and best practice.
- Contribute to lessons learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Skills & Experience
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- Proven experience as an Estimator within utilities, infrastructure, or construction, ideally with water sector exposure.
- Strong understanding of cost estimating methodologies and pricing models.
- Experience in supporting bids and tenders for contracts of significant value (£10m+).
- Commercial acumen with an ability to balance competitiveness with margin protection.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience working cross-functionally.
- Proficiency in estimating software, Microsoft Excel, and relevant digital tools.
Key Measures of Success
- Delivery of accurate, competitive, and commercially robust estimates for all bids and tenders.
- Successful conversion of estimates into profitable contract awards that support growth to £200m turnover.
- Positive feedback from the Head of Commercial, Head of Water, and Bid Teams on estimating support.
- Improved estimating processes, systems, and benchmarking data to support business scaling.
- Strong supplier and subcontractor relationships that improve competitiveness and value.
- Contribution to the company's reputation as a leading Tier 1 contractor in electricity and wider utilities.
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