Chief Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title

Chief Estimator

Job Post Summary

A growing commercial plumbing contractor is seeking a Chief Estimator to take full ownership of its estimating function. This is a highly visible, hands-on position responsible for converting commercial construction plans and specifications into accurate and competitive bids.

The estimator will manage projects ranging from smaller tenant improvements through multi-million-dollar ground-up commercial construction projects. The role requires strong commercial plumbing knowledge, independent decision-making, detailed quantity takeoffs, vendor coordination, bid strategy, and effective handoff of awarded projects to operations.

Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Own the complete estimating process from project lead through final bid submission for commercial plumbing projects

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and prepare estimates using Trimble AutoBid

• Develop, maintain, and refine fixture, piping, material, labor, and production assemblies

• Independently manage the complete bid calendar and ensure all bid deadlines are met

• Review commercial construction plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents

• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, risks, constructability concerns, and value engineering opportunities

• Solicit, evaluate, compare, and negotiate pricing from vendors and suppliers

• Develop accurate and competitive project pricing based on material, labor, equipment, and production requirements

• Make go or no go recommendations and determine appropriate pricing strategies for projects

• Coordinate estimating assumptions and scope with ownership and operations leadership

• Complete clean and accurate project handoffs to project management and field teams after award

• Ensure estimates, assumptions, exclusions, and scope requirements are clearly communicated to operations

• Track bid performance against actual project costs

• Analyze job cost information and use historical performance to improve future estimates

• Maintain accurate estimating tools, databases, assemblies, and spreadsheets

• Manage multiple bids simultaneously while maintaining accuracy under deadline pressure

Qualifications and Certifications

• Minimum 3 years of commercial plumbing estimating experience

• Strong knowledge of commercial plumbing systems, fixtures, piping, materials, and installation methods

• Experience performing complete plumbing quantity takeoffs

• Experience reading and interpreting commercial construction plans and specifications

• Trimble AutoBid experience strongly preferred

• Strong understanding of plumbing labor and material pricing

• Experience developing or maintaining estimating assemblies and databases

• Ability to independently manage a complete bid schedule

• Strong vendor and supplier communication and negotiation skills

• Ability to identify project risks, scope gaps, and value engineering opportunities

• Strong Excel skills and ability to create and maintain estimating spreadsheets and tools

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy under deadline pressure

• Ability to communicate effectively with ownership, operations, vendors, project managers, and field personnel

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• No specific professional certification is stated as mandatory in the provided job description

Benefits

• Health benefits

• Dental benefits

• Vision benefits

• Profit sharing

• Career growth opportunities

• High level of ownership and autonomy

• Direct interaction with ownership and operations leadership

\nCompany Description

Protouch Staffing is a trusted staffing partner specializing in connecting skilled professionals with top employers. While we originally focused on healthcare staffing, we’ve expanded into legal and other domains to meet evolving workforce needs across industries.

Company Description

Protouch Staffing is a trusted staffing partner specializing in connecting skilled professionals with top employers. While we originally focused on healthcare staffing, we’ve expanded into legal and other domains to meet evolving workforce needs across industries.