Director of Estimating

About Doherty Steel, Inc. Doherty Steel, Inc. is a leading AISC Certified structural steel fabrication and erection company serving customers throughout the Midwest. Founded in 1959, Doherty Steel remains family owned and operated and has built a reputation for quality, reliability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships. Our 165,000-square-foot fabrication facility is located in Paola, Kansas. From estimating and preconstruction through detailing, fabrication, and erection, our team takes pride in delivering structural steel projects safely, efficiently, and profitably. We are seeking an experienced Director of Estimating to lead and strengthen our estimating function and play a key role in the continued growth and success of Doherty Steel. The Opportunity The Director of Estimating will provide strategic and operational leadership for Doherty Steel's estimating department. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the complete estimating process, from project opportunity evaluation and bid strategy through scope review, pricing, proposal development, bid submission, and project handoff. This is a key leadership position for an experienced structural steel professional who understands both the technical and business sides of estimating. The successful candidate will help determine which opportunities Doherty Steel pursues, ensure bids are accurate and competitive, identify and manage risk, establish consistent estimating practices, and develop a high-performing estimating team. The Director of Estimating will work closely with company leadership, business development, project management, detailing, purchasing, fabrication, and field operations to ensure projects are properly scoped, competitively priced, and positioned for profitable execution. Key Responsibilities Estimating Leadership & Strategy * Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team. * Establish and maintain consistent estimating processes, standards, procedures, and best practices. * Review project opportunities and assist in determining which projects are the best strategic and financial fit for Doherty Steel. * Lead bid/no-bid decisions in coordination with company leadership. * Develop project-specific bid strategies that balance competitiveness, risk, workload, capacity, and profitability. * Establish clear expectations and accountability for estimate quality, timeliness, accuracy, and completeness. * Continuously improve estimating systems, workflows, cost databases, and reporting. Estimating & Preconstruction * Review contract documents, architectural and structural drawings, specifications, addenda, and other project requirements. * Ensure accurate quantity takeoffs and pricing for structural steel fabrication, erection, and related scopes. * Analyze labor, material, equipment, freight, subcontractor, and other project costs. * Identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, exclusions, qualifications, and potential project risks. * Determine appropriate subcontracted scopes and obtain competitive pricing when necessary. * Work with vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers to obtain accurate and competitive quotations. * Develop complete and accurate bid proposals that clearly define scope, assumptions, exclusions, alternates, and qualifications. * Ensure estimates are prepared with appropriate margins and risk considerations consistent with company objectives. * Review significant or complex estimates prior to submission. Risk Management & Profitability * Identify commercial, technical, scheduling, logistical, and execution risks during the estimating process. * Ensure that estimates appropriately account for project complexity, labor requirements, fabrication capacity, erection conditions, schedule constraints, and other project-specific factors. * Participate in management reviews of major project opportunities and final bid submissions. * Track and analyze bid results to identify market trends, competitive conditions, estimating accuracy, and opportunities for improvement. * Participate in post-project and post-bid reviews to improve future estimating performance and profitability. Project Transition & Collaboration * Lead or participate in the transition of successful projects from estimating to project management and operations. * Ensure project teams receive a complete and accurate understanding of the awarded scope, assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, pricing considerations, and known risks. * Participate in project kickoff meetings and support the project team as needed on scope, pricing, and estimating-related questions. * Work closely with Project Management on change order pricing and significant scope revisions. * Collaborate with detailing, purchasing, fabrication, and erection teams to improve estimating accuracy and ensure estimates reflect actual operational capabilities and costs. Client & Industry Relationships * Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, general contractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, and subcontractors. * Participate in customer discussions and negotiations when appropriate. * Represent Doherty Steel professionally and build confidence in the company's capabilities and estimating expertise. * Maintain awareness of market conditions, material pricing, labor trends, industry developments, and competitive activity. Qualifications Required * 7+ years experience in structural steel estimating, including fabrication and erection. * Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring estimators or managing an estimating function. * Strong understanding of structural steel fabrication and erection processes, costs, means, and methods. * Ability to read and interpret architectural and structural drawings, specifications, shop drawings, erection plans, and contract documents. * Strong understanding of labor, material, equipment, freight, subcontractor, and other project costs. * Demonstrated ability to evaluate project scope, identify risk, and develop profitable estimates. * Strong analytical, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. * Excellent communication and leadership skills. * Ability to manage multiple bids and priorities in a fast-paced environment. * Strong business judgment and the ability to make sound decisions. Preferred * Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent industry experience will be considered. * 7+ years of progressive experience in structural steel estimating or a closely related role. * Experience leading an estimating department or team. * Experience with Tekla EPM / PowerFab . * Experience with AVEVA FabTrol . * Experience with estimating software, digital takeoff tools, and Microsoft Excel. * Experience estimating complex commercial, industrial, institutional, or large structural steel projects. What Success Looks Like The successful Director of Estimating will: * Build and lead a high-performing estimating team. * Improve the consistency, accuracy, and efficiency of the estimating process. * Help Doherty Steel pursue the right opportunities and make disciplined bid/no-bid decisions. * Ensure bids clearly define scope, risks, exclusions, and qualifications. * Improve communication and project transition between estimating and operations. * Develop meaningful feedback loops between estimated costs and actual project performance. * Support profitable growth while maintaining Doherty Steel's reputation for quality and reliability. Compensation & Benefits Salary: $125,000-$150,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Job Type: Full-time Schedule: Monday through Friday Benefits * Competitive compensation * 401(k) retirement plan with company match * Health insurance * Dental insurance * Vision insurance * Health Savings Account with company contribution * Company-paid health, short-term disability, and life insurance Location This position is based at our facility in Paola, Kansas (66071) . Candidates must be able to reliably commute to the facility or relocate to the area. Equal Opportunity Employer Doherty Steel, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. We comply with applicable ADA and employment regulations. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs. Employment with Doherty Steel, Inc. is at will.