Ram Mechanical Inc.
Ceres
The Senior Estimator is responsible for receiving quote requests from customers and/or the project execution team, managing assigned estimates, and ensuring all necessary documentation for a complete and accurate proposal is assembled and maintained. This includes generating quote numbers, reviewing procurement proposals, and compiling blueprints, specifications, project history, and other relevant materials. All estimators operate within a defined bid schedule and are accountable for submitting proposals both accurately and on time. The bid creation process involves a detailed assessment of labor, materials, and time requirements based on the evaluation of proposals, drawings, specifications, and historical project data. The Senior Estimator conducts a final review to ensure estimates are accurate, collaborating with appropriate personnel to validate labor, material, equipment, and timeline requirements. Senior Estimators also play a critical role in bid presentations, ensuring each proposal is professionally structured, clearly outlines inclusions and exclusions, and supports the company’s closing strategy. Beyond technical estimating duties, the Senior Estimator actively seeks out leads and new project opportunities, functioning as an extension of and in coordination with the business development team. They are expected to represent the company in a professional and approachable manner, building positive relationships with both existing and potential clients. Following project award, the Senior Estimator ensures the job number is created, budgets are entered, and a complete project handoff is executed. This includes coordination with the assigned project manager or lead, as well as accounting and other internal departments. In many cases, this transition is formalized through a kickoff meeting organized and led by the estimating team. After handoff, the estimator may continue to monitor the project during execution and after completion to help identify issues, collect historical data, and support continuous improvement for future estimating efforts. Role and Responsibilities • Process Quote requests, ensuring proper information is gathered. The information may need to be gathered from multiple sources including the customer, project manager, etc. Follow all established processed for proper tracking and documentation., • Generate quote tracking number and initiate and complete work up process., • Work with the estimating manager to ensure schedule and bid dates are manageable, communicating any potential concerns., • Present final quote and complete proposal for review by management team to ensure accuracy and thoroughness of final product., • Create final proposal documents and have input on win strategy, effectively communicating both written and verbal sales differentiation and value added., • Work with management to establish margins, work with the project managers to define unknowns or high-risk tasks., • Ensure cost rates and factors are kept up to date., • Review contract documents, identify areas of concern., • Process job requests, completing the job number process and ensuring set up is done properly and accurately., • Complete job set up process to include accurate cost code and complete estimate available timely. Allowing for monitoring of job progress., • Job cost and history management. Identify areas of concerns, adjust factors, if necessary, ensure cost tracking was accurate, etc., • Keep up to date sell rates and communicate accurate rates to customers which are dependent on type of work and location., • Receive and review contracts and purchase orders. Ensure accuracy in comparison to proposals and expectations of sales tax and job requirements., • Initiate and negotiate subcontractor agreements., • Work with purchasing to negotiate vendor pricing and volume discounting., • Work with purchasing to identify targets for cost saving opportunities., • Work with project managers and foreman to identify cost saving opportunities through new work processes, use of equipment, etc., • Follow up with the customer in regard to project satisfaction and quote review., • Actively pursue new technologies and process to increase competitiveness., • Work to identify markets/industries and/or customer needs in which we can be of service., • Identify inventory overages to reduce and be more competitive., • Identify and propose long term or maintenance contracts when applicable., • Work closely with business development to communicate win strategies,, • Perform statistical analysis, tracking win rate under different scenarios., • Improve upon win rate by identifying opportunities and working with project managers to identify areas of cost improvements. SKILLS REQUIRED Technical & Estimating Skills • In-depth knowledge of industrial construction (mechanical, electrical, structural, piping, etc.), • Blueprint and specification reading — ability to interpret technical drawings and documents, • Advanced quantity takeoff and cost estimating skills for labor, materials, and equipment, • Proficiency in estimating software (e.g., HeavyBid, Sage Estimating, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Excel), • Understanding of procurement processes and vendor relations, • Familiarity with project scheduling tools (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project) Analytical & Organizational Skills • Strong analytical thinking — to assess risks, identify cost-saving opportunities, and evaluate job scopes, • Attention to detail — accuracy in estimates, documentation, and proposal preparation is critical, • Time management — ability to manage multiple bids within strict deadlines, • Historical data analysis — using past project data to inform current estimates Communication & Interpersonal Skills • Clear and professional communication — written and verbal, for internal teams and client interactions, • Collaboration with cross-functional teams — including project management, engineering, and accounting, • Presentation skills — for delivering clear, professional, and persuasive bid proposals, • Client relationship management — acting as a helpful and knowledgeable point of contact for customers Business & Strategic Skills • Lead generation and opportunity identification — supporting business development efforts, • Understanding of commercial terms, contracts, and bid strategy, • Ability to develop detailed clarifications and exclusions for proposals, • Budget and financial acumen — for post-award support and handoff Personal Attributes • Professionalism and integrity — representing the company ethically to clients and partners, • Initiative and self-motivation — proactively identifying leads, managing quotes, and improving processes, • Adaptability — able to respond to changes in scope, schedule, or client needs, • Problem-solving mindset — anticipating and resolving estimating challenges EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Education Requirements • Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following fields (or closely related):, • Construction Management, • Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial), • Construction Engineering Technology, • Quantity Surveying, • Business Administration (with relevant construction experience) Preferred or Additional Qualifications: • Associate Degree in Construction Technology or similar, plus significant hands-on estimating experience, may be accepted in lieu of a four-year degree at some companies., • Professional Certifications (optional but valued):, • Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) – American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE), • Certified Cost Professional (CCP) – Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE), • LEED Accreditation – if working in sustainable or environmentally-regulated sectors, • OSHA 10/30 Certification – often required for site familiarity and safety knowledge Experience Expectations: • While not strictly educational, most Senior Estimator roles require:, • 7–10+ years of experience in estimating within the industrial contracting space (e.g., heavy civil, mechanical piping, process plants, etc.), • Field experience is highly regarded and sometimes considered as valuable as formal education.