Project Estimator / Commercial Architectural Woodworking

Job Description

Job Description

Company Overview
CSW was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities.

Our Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE.

Our Core Values

• A "More-Than" Mindset
• • Smart work ethicExpect quality of self & othersEfficient, Clean, Organized
  • Tenacious
• Effective Leadership
• • Competence
  • Caring (equitable)
  • Conviction
  • Pragmatic
• Excellence
• • Know our worth
  • Integrity
  • No subpar work
  • Dependable, but strategic

Our Core Focus

Purpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork

Niche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level

This company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of potential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the challenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd love to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual because of us.

Position Overview
As our Project Estimator, you’ll own the end-to-end bid process—delivering detailed, accurate proposals that ensure scope clarity, protect margin, and align with construction schedules. You’ll partner closely with the Director of Project Development, pursue missing information proactively, and make ‘The Goal’ your guiding principle: drive throughput (profitability) by eliminating uncertainty before fabrication even begins.

Key Responsibilities

Bid Preparation & Scope Verification

• Prepare detailed, line-item bids in INNERGY, our ERP software, that align with drawings, specs, and client expectations.
• Proactively resolve ambiguities via RFIs and RFP clarifications to lock down scope and schedule.

Documentation & Takeoffs

• Collect, verify, and organize all project documentation (schedules, specs, drawings).
• Complete accurate takeoffs by location, group, and product—always keeping Work Order flow in mind.

Information Pursuit & Communication

• Aggressively pursue any missing data or RFIs generated by the Setup Specialist.
• Relay gaps or discrepancies immediately to the Project Development Coordinator or the Director of Project Development.

Folder Management & Reporting

• Maintain Opportunity folders so any team member can review project status without follow-up.
• Highlight potential constraints in scope, timeline, or information early—escalating as needed.

Continuous Improvement & TOC Alignment

• Demonstrate complete mastery of The Goal and embed Theory of Constraints principles into estimating.
• Provide feedback on process bottlenecks and suggest refinements to improve throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years’ experience estimating commercial woodworking, millwork, or architectural finishes, preferred
• Proven track record of delivering high‐accuracy bids under tight deadlines
• INNERGY proficiency a massive plus (from Opportunity setup through production tracking)
• Familiarity with drafting platforms
• Deep understanding of Theory of Constraints; ideally having read The Goal.
• Strong understanding of AWI casework standards and shop fabrication workflows
• Able to read and interpret architectural, MEP, and structural drawings
• Methodical, organized, and relentless about accuracy
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues early in the project lifecycle
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Teachable, team-minded, with aggressive intelligent initiative and a strong bias for action
• Strong negotiation skills
• Deadline and detail-oriented
• Ideal candidate understands and believes in Theory of Constraints (TOC) management and lean manufacturing (read The Goal by Eli Goldblatt)
• Strong believer in continuous personal improvement, reading and studying assigned material or seek resources on their own

Why Join Us?
Very few organizations can truthfully say: “There is no one else like us in the country.” We are one of fewer than six AWI QCP–certified architectural millwork firms nationwide that are minority-owned — and the only Latino-owned firm among them . You’ll be part of a minority-owned and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our estimating function, we’d love to meet you.

• Be part of a growing, award-winning company that is at the forefront of custom architectural woodworking.
• Work alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and innovation.
• Opportunity to contribute to large-scale projects with some of the most respected names in the construction industry.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, along with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Mutual Understandings

• Start date: ASAP
• Goal work schedule: 0730-1630, M-F
• Schedule to be results-driven; working hours to respect reasonable expectations of life/work balance and family time
• Introduced to the team with a transparent and clear set of expectations for the role
• Computer, screens, other tech for productivity, will be provided
• Joining the team with a committed mindset and with a hopeful expectation of ESOP potential in the near future

Compensation
$60,000-70,000/yr, pending interview and assessment results
26 pay periods/year, W-2 employee (standard deductions apply)
Potential for increases driven by results and contribution margin per estimator profitability
Health Insurance
Quote upon request
Coverage to include MEDICAL and DENTAL, deducted per pay period
Your total premium per annum would be: $____________ (on PPO plan; other plans available)
401k/Retirement (after year 1), with 3% company match on minimum 4% paycheck contribution
1 week of paid time off (per calendar year; increase to 2 weeks after year 2, and 3 weeks after year 5)
5 personal days (per calendar year)

CS ARCHITECTURAL was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities.

Our Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE.

Our Core Values
A "MORE-THAN" MINDSET
Smart work ethic
Expect quality of self & others
Efficient, Clean, Organized
Tenacious

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Competence
Caring (equitable)
Conviction
Pragmatic

EXCELLENCE
Know our worth
Integrity
No subpar work
Dependable, but strategic

Our Core Focus
Purpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork
Niche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level

This company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of
potential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the
challenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd
love to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual
because of us.

Very few organizations can truthfully say: “There is no one else like us in the country.” We are one of fewer than six AWI QCP–certified architectural millwork firms nationwide that are minority-owned — and the only Latino-owned firm among them. You’ll be part of a minority-owned and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our estimating function, we’d love to meet you.

Company Description

CS ARCHITECTURAL was established in 2013 as a premium manufacturer of custom architectural woodworking for high-end commercial clients. We work with GC's all over the Chicago-land area as providers of casework and millwork for schools, healthcare facilities, public buildings, private offices, and many other types of facilities. \r\n\r\nOur Position: WE GET THE JOB DONE. \r\n\r\nOur Core Values \r\nA "MORE-THAN" MINDSET\r\nSmart work ethic\r\nExpect quality of self & others\r\nEfficient, Clean, Organized\r\nTenacious\r\n\r\nEFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP\r\nCompetence\r\nCaring (equitable)\r\nConviction\r\nPragmatic\r\n\r\nEXCELLENCE\r\nKnow our worth\r\nIntegrity\r\nNo subpar work\r\nDependable, but strategic\r\n\r\nOur Core Focus \r\nPurpose/Cause/Passion: A legacy of counter-culture in millwork \r\nNiche: AWI QCP & MBE work at the national level \r\n\r\nThis company has grown exponentially and in a short amount of time, and there is a lot of \r\npotential growth still to come, both for the company, and personally for you, if you're up for the \r\nchallenge. As such, we hope you get the best out of us and we hope to get the best of you. We'd \r\nlove to be a better company because of you, and we'd love for you to be a better individual \r\nbecause of us.\r\n\r\nVery few organizations can truthfully say: “There is no one else like us in the country.” We are one of fewer than six AWI QCP–certified architectural millwork firms nationwide that are minority-owned — and the only Latino-owned firm among them. You’ll be part of a minority-owned and veteran-owned custom architectural woodworking firm that lives lean principles every day. We value transparency, continuous improvement, and a one-piece-flow mentality—from estimating through delivery. If you’re driven by precision, empowered by The Goal, and ready to elevate our estimating function, we’d love to meet you.