Chief Estimator

Position Description

Purpose
The purpose of this role is to plan, organize, and manage the estimating function within Teichert's Energy and Utilities Group. This role has primary responsibility for procuring profitable work, providing technical and administrative direction, initiating and maintaining liaisons with clients, managing the bid process, supporting contract negotiations, and developing successful new business opportunities in underground construction projects. The Chief Estimator plays a key role in establishing and achieving business and corporate objectives, and for maintaining a safe and profitable business unit.

Focus & Scope
Essential duties and responsibilities, i.e. those which are basic, necessary, and an integral part of the job, are indicated below:

Company / Entity

1. Accurately prepares estimates. Reviews proposal specifications and drawings to determine scope. Determines required contents of estimates and evaluates historical data in order to project unit and man hour figures. Completes projects on time, in accordance to business and company standards, policies, and procedures.
2. Contributes to the development of, and implements, plans for future business and professional growth in Construction by staying abreast of and evaluating trends in the industry. Ensures the Estimating activities remain focused on long range priorities, customer feedback, and continuously strives to make improvements to day-to-day processes and practices.
3. Helps position company for industry changes and opportunities. Specifically, works closely with Business Development and Customers to identify trends and evaluate market surveys. May assist in the preparation of studies, materials and methods, recommendations, and cost estimates.
4. Facilitates collaboration across area offices and builds consistency across estimating practices and procedures, business development, resources and materials, and company performance. Ensures policies, procedures, and standards are adhered to as well as protect the company's interests.
5. Prepares estimating workforce for evolving business needs. Manages staffing and corresponding costs, balancing short and long-term needs for people (skills/manpower). Coaches to maximize performance, accountability, and motivation of workforce while maintaining morale. Models innovative/effective management practices.
6. Establishes, promotes, and protects Teichert's values including diversity, teamwork, fair work environment, and respect of others. Maintains a "team" spirit within the business unit. Works and cooperates with other disciplines (across company lines) to ensure maximum and best use of resources.
7. Ensures estimating function supports company goals and policies through effective management and administration. Determines strategies, techniques, and types of projects to bid on; evaluates and communicates risks throughout the bid process; participates in presentations with corporate management and clients; and may be responsible for closing the "sale" and coordinating with field personnel to schedule work.
8. Ensures bid process is effective and efficient. Specifically, provides guidance and technical expertise in managing the bid schedules and selection process; assigns and reviews work of subordinates and checks for accuracy and completeness; provides technical support in negotiating contracts, and change orders; reviews all final estimates prior to formal presentation; ensures interpretations of all external codes, regulations, and specifications, and ensures job estimates are completed on time

Technical Specialty Area

1. Assumes responsibility for productivity of estimating function and procurement process. Maximizes employee performance and professional growth. Specifically, provides management direction to Estimating staff; motivates employees to function as a cohesive unit; oversees regularly planned meetings; develops employees by evaluating performance, providing coaching, training, and mentoring opportunities.
2. Focuses, builds and maintains positive working relationships with external clients. Relationships result in increased business, repeat customers, and industry referrals. Communicates company and project policies, procedures, and standards.
3. Assists in achieving a zero injury culture through supporting safety programs and actively participating in appropriate safety meetings and training sessions to maintain a safe, healthy work environment and meet corporate safety standards.
4. Manages internal administrative organization and documentation, including project logs, files, records and reports pertaining to Estimating function. May include bids, cost estimates, state and federal regulations and codes, etc.; ensures written and up-to-date estimating guidelines, manuals, and policies and procedures.

Relationships, Qualifications and Requirements, & Competencies

Key Relationships

Reports to:

• Regional Manager

Direct reports:

• Estimators
• Project Engineers

External clients:

• Owners, design consultants, public agencies, state and federal regulatory agencies, industry peers for networking. Specifically, PG&E, SMUD, design engineers, private home builders and developers, various utility owners, etc.

Internal clients:

• Regional Manager, General Superintendent, Estimators, Superintendents, Project Managers, Administrative Manager, Cost Engineering Manager, Contract Administrator, Cost Analysts, Project Engineers, Administrative Staff, Materials, and other business operations

Role Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, (or related field) or equivalent combination of technical training and related experience

Experience & Industry Expertise:

• Minimum of ten years' experience in the construction or engineering industry with progressive experience in underground construction
• Minimum five years' experience supervising others
• Must have strong experience in bidding underground projects; preferably both "wet" and "dry" utilities.

Specific Job Requirements:

• Successful completion of pre-employment drug, alcohol, and background investigation
• Valid Driver's License
• Current on all company required safety training
• Ability to preserve confidential and proprietary information and successfully avoid conflicts-of-interest
• Knowledge of HCSS, Primavera P6
• Thorough knowledge of construction contracts/law
• Strong working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, personnel issues and EEO
• Thorough understanding of corporate and industry practices, processes, standards, technology, equipment methods, cost control, schedules, etc. and their impact on project activities
• Thorough knowledge of company's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures
• Travel is required

Competencies

• Relationship Management
• Technical competence in construction
• Business Acumen
• Communications
• Organization and Management
• People Management
• People Development
• Technology: Microsoft Office, estimating, and project management software

Equipment Used, Physical Demands, and Work Environment

Equipment Used

• Personal computer, telephone, pagers, company vehicle, personal protective equipment

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical: Sitting for long periods of time working at the computer or driving to job sites. Job site visits require walking on uneven ground, climbing, bending, stooping, crawling in confined or enclosed spaces. Some lifting of materials and equipment up to 50 lbs. Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. May work long hours during peak seasons.
• Work Environment: Typical office environment with adequate temperatures and lighting, low levels of noise. Demands of meeting tight deadlines. Exposed to the conditions of job sites which can include loud noise, dust, fumes, and extreme weather conditions prevalent at the time. May work various shifts or hours, including early mornings, dusk or evenings.

BASE SALARY RANGE:
$220,000.00 - $280,000.00
The range displayed reflects the range the company reasonable expects to pay for the position. The actual base salary is subject to variation due to the role, level, geographic location, relevant education, training, or experience, among other factors.

Employer Disclosure Statement
The above statements and job description is intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed within this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and tasks. Other similar or additional duties are performed as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Teichert and its subsidiaries pride themselves on being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals seeking employment at our company are considered without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on the company. If you are an applicant with a disability, please inform Robert Maxey (View email address on click.appcast.io) if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Notice to Staffing Agencies
Teichert, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Teichert") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Teichert, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Teichert mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Teichert employees, or to Teichert's resume database will be considered Teichert property. Teichert will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Teichert will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Teichert's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Teichert will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Teichert's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Teichert employee is authorized to bind Teichert to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.