Pre-Construction / Estimating Manager
3 days ago
Chesterfield
• Location: Chesterfield, • Reports To: Key Account Manager (KAM) within Team Structure, • Team Structure: Team of 3 (KAM + PC + Sales Executive), • Pre-Construction Manager (PC) – Doorsets & Ironmongery, • Location: Chesterfield, • Department: Sales / Pre-Construction, • Reports To: Key Account Manager (KAM) within Team Structure, • Team Structure: Team of 3 (KAM + PC + Sales Executive) DATIM Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of architectural internal Doorsets and Ironmongery, delivering compliance-led, multi-room solutions into Apartments, PBSA, hotels, MOD/Defence and framework projects. Our success is built on early technical engagement, structured estimating, commercial discipline and strong collaboration between Sales, Estimating, Production and Project Management. The Pre-Construction Manager is central to converting opportunities into secured, profitable orders. The Pre-Construction Manager sits between the Key Account Manager and the Sales Executive within the Team of 3. • Estimating leadership., • Bid coordination., • Needs analysis ownership., • Value engineering., • Technical compliance management., • Commercial solution development., • Client requirements., • Budget constraints., • Value engineering appetite., • Programme demands., • Competitor landscape., • Key decision makers., • Design and sample processes. The objective is to establish a clear and structured "Path to Order" for every live opportunity. Work alongside the KAM to lead or support structured Needs Analysis meetings with the client. • Project scope and technical requirements., • Door schedules, specifications and compliance obligations., • Budget parameters and cost expectations., • Value engineering appetite and decision flexibility., • Programme timelines and critical milestones., • Procurement route and framework constraints., • Competitor involvement and positioning., • Key stakeholders and decision makers., • Sample requirements and design sign-off process., • A defined technical and commercial strategy., • A clear "Path to Order" plan., • Identified risks and mitigation actions., • A structured bid return approach., • Compile detailed doorset schedules from architects’ drawings and specifications., • Revise and refine schedules as designs evolve., • Coordinate ironmongery integration to ensure full package alignment., • Convert door schedules into structured estimating system formats., • Liaise with Procurement to source products and negotiate costs., • Raise and track RFIs to close information gaps., • Write and refine specifications to improve competitiveness., • Break down competitor specifications and positioning., • Handle technical queries relating to doorsets and compliance., • The PC owns technical accuracy and commercial integrity of the submission., • Manage the full bid lifecycle from enquiry to submission., • Ensure documentation completeness and validation., • Coordinate with Sales Executive for data input and pack preparation., • Align submission timing with agreed client deadlines., • Ensure pricing reflects agreed strategy and risk profile., • Support framework tenders and blue-chip contractor submissions., • The PC ensures bids are accurate, compliant and commercially structured to win., • Analyse project budgets and propose compliant VE alternatives., • Align technical proposals with client cost targets., • Protect margin while improving competitiveness., • Identify scope expansion opportunities., • Provide technical justification to support pricing position., • The PC must balance competitiveness with profitability., • Review project programme requirements., • Identify long-lead items or compliance risks., • Ensure production capability alignment., • Highlight programme risk to KAM early., • Support realistic commitment setting., • The PC prevents overpromising and protects operational delivery., • Ensure accurate booking-in of projects and documentation structure., • Maintain structured live quote tracking., • Coordinate spreadsheet imports and data consistency., • Support internal review meetings and bid strategy sessions., • Prepare technical handover documentation for PM team upon order., • Joint needs analysis., • Commercial positioning strategy., • Competitor assessment., • Client engagement planning., • Quote coordination., • CRM accuracy., • RFI tracking., • Document preparation., • Submission pack readiness., • The PC ensures the team operates with clarity, pace and structure., • Proven estimating experience within Doorsets, Ironmongery or construction., • Strong understanding of architectural drawings and specifications., • Experience managing framework tenders or regulated projects., • Demonstrated value engineering capability., • Commercial awareness and margin understanding., • Experience liaising with procurement and suppliers., • BIM / FDIS / GAI knowledge., • Experience preparing CAD technical drawings., • Experience coordinating multi-room developments., • Highly analytical and detail-oriented., • Commercially intelligent., • Structured and process-driven., • Strong communicator with technical confidence., • Calm under pressure and deadline-driven., • Collaborative but decisive., • Comfortable challenging assumptions., • Clear "Path to Order" strategy on all live bids., • Accurate, compliant and competitive submissions., • Strong technical credibility with clients., • Effective value engineering without margin erosion., • Reduced post-award scope disputes., • Smooth and structured handovers to Project Management., • Strong alignment between Sales, Procurement and Production. The Pre-Construction Manager is the technical and commercial bridge between opportunity and order. • Increases win rates., • Protects margin., • Reduces operational risk., • Strengthens client confidence., • Makes revenue predictable and disciplined. Within DATIM’s structure, the PC is not just an estimator — they are a strategic bid leader and technical deal architect. #J-18808-Ljbffr