Chief Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Estimator

Location: Astoria, NY 11106
Position Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

Our client, an established stone fabrication and installation company, is seeking an experienced and highly organized Chief Estimator to lead its estimating department. This individual will oversee a team of estimators and manage a fast-paced bidding process involving approximately 40–50 project bids per week.

The ideal candidate is an experienced construction professional with strong leadership skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to ensure that estimates are accurate, complete, competitive, and submitted on time. Experience with stone and tile scopes of work is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and support a team of estimators.

• Coordinate approximately 40–50 project bids per week, including quantity takeoffs, pricing, internal reviews, and final submissions.

• Assign projects and manage the estimating team's workload to ensure all deadlines are met.

• Review quantity takeoffs for accuracy and completeness.

• Confirm that estimates comply with project drawings, specifications, material requirements, and scope of work.

• Review scope sheets, leveling sheets, contracts, and related documentation to identify inclusions, exclusions, and potential scope gaps.

• Prepare, issue, and manage requests for information (RFIs) as needed.

• Maintain consistent follow-up with estimating staff, customers, contractors, vendors, and other project stakeholders.

• Identify discrepancies, missing information, and potential project risks before bids are submitted.

• Attend project walk-throughs, pre-bid meetings, and client meetings as needed.

• Establish and maintain organized estimating procedures, tracking systems, and quality-control standards.

• Ensure the estimating team consistently produces thorough, accurate, and professional proposals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in construction, architecture, estimating, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience managing estimators and coordinating a high volume of project bids.

• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, quantity takeoffs, pricing, and bid preparation.

• Experience reviewing scope sheets, leveling sheets, contracts, and project specifications.

• Ability to identify scope gaps, drawing discrepancies, and potential project risks.

• Strong computer skills and the ability to quickly learn estimating, takeoff, and project-management software.

• Excellent organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Professional communication skills when working with clients, contractors, architects, vendors, and internal team members.

• Knowledge of stone and tile scopes of work is strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on estimating leader who can effectively manage both people and processes. This individual is highly organized, technically knowledgeable, and comfortable overseeing a substantial volume of bids without sacrificing accuracy or attention to detail. They are proactive about following up, resolving missing information, and ensuring every proposal is complete and submitted on time.