Senior Estimator

Senior Estimator

Firma Contracting Inc. is a growing western Canadian based civil contracting company. We are looking for someone that can oversee all estimating work and work closely with senior management and ownership to determine opportunities that are a fit and manage proposal development. This role requires someone with entrepreneurial spirit and rigor as well as being a great fit with our team.

Firma offers candidates a highly collaborative environment for growth and leadership opportunity. We have a dynamic team with an amazing workplace culture. Our total compensation package is competitive because we value the people that make our business and develop relationships that make it succeed and flourish.

The Senior Estimator is responsible for managing the Estimating Team, monitoring bid sites, chasing down bid leads, evaluating bid / tender specifications and drawings, ensuring that the operations team has a clear understanding of the project, scope, risks and requirements. 

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Managing Partner and Regional Manager to develop and execute the bidding strategy, progress and reviews.


• Lead and manage the estimating team to deliver accurate and timely estimates / tenders / bids.


• Oversee the preparation of detailed cost estimates, including labor, materials, and overheads.


• Collaborate with senior management and clients to align on project scopes, budgets, and timelines.


• Determine if tenders are of acceptable quality/risk profile to be accepted for tender and respond to clients appropriately.


• Develop and implement estimating processes and standards to improve efficiency and accuracy.


• Analyze market trends and vendor pricing to ensure competitive and realistic estimates.


• Seek out potential opportunities through business connections, industry tenders, and business development alongside senior management.


• Complete full quantity take-off of all equipment and materials required to complete the project as per contract specifications to ensure accuracy of pricing.


• Review scope of work prior to issuing to subcontractors and complete a gap/overlap analysis.


• Provide direction on scope and requirements to the suppliers and sub contractors based on specifications included in the tender.


• Review subcontractors pricing, inclusions, exclusions or qualifications for price evaluation and sub contractor selection.


• Oversee technical writing scopes and work closely with subject matter experts identifying benefits and value-added content for proposal submission.


• Collaborate with other stakeholders as needed for proposal packages and manage timelines and expectations for submissions as well as clarifications, site visits, etc.


• Identify pricing risks with full comprehension of the tender documentation, develop proposal terms and conditions to support/defend pricing, and mitigate risks.


• Estimate project costs for a given project under various contract styles, unit price, lump sum, time and materials (T&M), and using a quantity-based system or conceptual proposal.


• Estimate preparation for costs of materials, labour, sub trades, equipment and produces a final tender submission.


• Conduct bid reviews and lessons learned following bid close and results.


• Prepare and provide turnover packages to the construction team for awarded work.


• Participate in project kick off meetings.


• Assist with other ad hoc projects.

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years experience managing an estimating team for civil scopes


• Experience estimating underground utility scopes is preferred


• Personable and great at building relationships


• Highly skilled in negotiating


• Experience from managing RFQ phase to project award


• Proficient with Microsoft Office (specifically Excel), MS Project and Adobe


• Impeccable attention to detail


• Experienced in reading plans and specifications


• Highly organized and collaborative


• Strong communication skills – able to delegate and provide instructions clearly with sufficient detail


• Proven leadership capabilities and able to mentor direct reports for advancement


• Valid driver’s licence