Junior Estimator / Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is assigned to our Donegal Construction NY location and is responsible for acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge necessary for effectively monitoring and evaluating bid opportunities, reviewing project specifications, preparing quote packages, coordinating engaged projects from origination to scheduling, execution, invoicing, and ensuring all systems/records supporting the enterprise are updated correctly and in a timely manner.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, customers, subcontractors, vendors, and partners to support a consistent pipeline of prospective and awarded work.
• As assigned, proactively identify, solicit, and respond to public and private bid opportunities within the assigned geographic markets.
• Partner with Business Development Representative and Estimator/PM role to gain understanding of estimating/bidding process/cycle to eventually operate independently and with a higher degree of autonomy.
• Gain understanding of market conditions, competitor positioning, cost drivers (including inflationary impacts), and historical unit pricing to develop proper bid strategies.
• Prepare and manage bids using a standardized and disciplined estimating approach, including:
  • Thorough review of plans, specifications, scope, production rates, risks, and profitability assumptions.
  • Appropriate pass‑through of price increases as market conditions allow.
  • Strict adherence to service‑line gross margin targets and avoidance of low‑margin volume.
  • Participation in formal bid reviews and escalation when pricing falls below established thresholds.
  • Accountability for actual project gross margins trending within 5% of estimate.
  • Prepare, issue, and track quote packages; maintain organized bid records and proactively follow up with customers throughout the pursuit process.
  • Identify and implement value‑engineering opportunities that improve competitiveness, profitability, or project execution without compromising quality or scope; support VE approvals pre‑ and post‑award.

• Review customer contracts and subcontracts and determine required actions in coordination with leadership.
• Maintain accurate and timely customer, opportunity, and bid activity within the Company’s CRM system.
• Coordinate with Operations Managers, Superintendents, and Foremen to schedule, plan, and execute projects; leverage administrative resources as appropriate to support scheduling and coordination.
• As requested, visit job sites as needed to engage with customers and contractors; support execution‑phase change management, scope adjustments, and value‑added solutions.
• Monitor job performance and progress; investigate and address variances exceeding established thresholds through root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Maintain professional communication with customers, inspectors, internal teams, and other stakeholders from project award through closeout.
• Proactively supports the estimating and operations teams with a variety of administrative support tasks.
  • Estimating administration, contract terms, job set up, billing/invoicing and related inquiries, change orders, Salesforce entries, ERP entries, compliance, timekeeping administration, supporting documentation, etc.

• Demonstrate continuous commitment to quality by evaluating processes, recommending improvements, and implementing changes to enhance outcomes.
• Gain initial knowledge and stay abreast of market conditions, competitor pricing, economic conditions (including supply chain) and other macro factors. Attend industry related events and leverage business development opportunities.
• Partner with Donegal PA members to ensure company-wide and/or operating entity specific initiatives are implemented and managed effectively, including contracts administration, accounting matters, timekeeping, and certified payroll.
• Frequently assess opportunities to ease administrative burdens; provide recommendations and implement advancements for maintaining electronic filing/records systems.
• Support the company’s paperless environment initiatives and adoption of processes across all entities.

Other

• Ensure the appearance of the office and welcome areas are clean and well organized.
• Consistently deliver an excellent experience for all guests and employee interactions.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all personnel and actively participate in related team meetings.
• Demonstrate a high degree of independence, autonomy and remain self-motivated to ensure operation runs smoothly.
• Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.
• Complete other duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 years work experience, including a minimum of 1 year construction/heavy highway industry experience.
• Prior estimating/project management experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Proactive attitude and willingness to take initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) coupled with ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and backgrounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Works in an indoor office relatively free from environmental conditions or hazards.
• Use of office equipment and computers.
• Occasional lifting of supplies and materials from time to time.
• Positions in this class typically include extended sedentary periods, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, movement and repetitive motions.

DISCLAIMER:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job responsibility satisfactorily. This job description is not to be construed as all inclusive. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related task as requested. Reasonable accommodations may be considered and implemented to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SurfaceCycle and its operating entities is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.