Job Description

Senior Estimator responsible for preparation of pricing for tenders/bids and other opportunities identified by the business, from receipt of documents through to presentation at tender review and final completion of submission documents. Reports into the Divisional Head of Estimating or Lead / Managing Estimator. Has a deep knowledge of skill and adequate practical experience to consistently perform the required task(s) in a range of complex and non-routine contexts; supervision is only required in more complex circumstances.



Working closely with in a bid team and be responsible for the preparation of the analytical estimate. Preparation of preliminaries (On-cost) pricing (In conjunction with Tender Planner). Presentation of the estimate at bid team meetings and final settlement of bid. Working to strict deadlines. Experience of pricing work under various forms of contract including Traditional NEC, Target Cost, Design & Build, Specification & Drawing or ECI bids. Preparation of quantities from drawings and specifications. Prepare abstract of material and sub-contract requirements for sourcing and pricing. Technical and commercial appraisal of material and subcontractor quotations. Preparation of analytical estimates including the detailed appraisal of construction plant and temporary works. In conjunction with the bid team, participate in the generation of value-engineered solutions throughout the bid stage design process and report on the cost effects of such solutions. Contribute to the submission document preparation. Contribute to the identification of risk and pricing of risks throughout the bid Attend site visits during tender period. Use of estimating software as a basis of preparing the estimate. Evaluate construction methods and formulate alternative proposals where necessary in conjunction with the bid team and tender planner. Associated forecasts of capital expenditure and income. Preparation of cash flow forecasts. Allocate and supervise work of subordinates within the Estimating Team to meet review and final submission deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

Produces an accurate key estimating requirements schedule and programme. Reviews a set of tender documents and produces an estimating strategy for of all the key estimating deliverables. Creates a checklist of key requirements for later use in establishing compliancy. Fully understands the scope of the project and customer's requirements. Contributes to a Supply Chain Gate 3 and Procurement Strategy and identifies key work packages and documents for inclusion in the supply chain enquiries. Maintains accurate and clear estimating notes, clarifications and assumptions. Understands and applies relevant professional standards to estimating any given project. Produces a Cash flow profile for a project and establishes the financial, contractual and time implications that drive the cashflow. Including developing strategies that generate positive cashflow for the business. Procures quantities for the project estimate either personally or via and external supplier. Establishes and agrees the required work breakdown structure for collating the estimate. Obtains and analyses fee proposals from suppliers to ensure we have a competitive price for undertaking this role if executed externally. Establishes methods for quantities checking and risk mitigation. Undertakes the pricing of temporary works in conjunction with the planner, temporary works engineer and technical lead. Prepares a marked-up schedule of temporary works packages and associated documentation for release to the supply chain and ensure that the works have been divided into practical works packages suitable for procurement. Identifies requirements, obtains fee proposals and makes provision within the bid for necessary design fees, statutory charges, and surveys to deliver the project. Prepares for and undertakes a site visit and produces a comprehensive site visit report that establishes a record of all relevant site constraints and conditions that may have an impact upon the pricing of the works. Updates the project risk register with any relevant risks identified during the site visit. Achieves the relevant safety training to access a live site in to undertake site inspections and visits during the estimating stage for the project. Arranges for all External and Internal Supplier market testing to be undertaken during the estimating stage. Establishes a market testing programme and monitor progress of enquiries and chase up suppliers as necessary. Ensures amendments are issued to the suppliers during the bid period and any returned quotes are stored securely for future reference. Produces an entire Cost Estimate for the project. Including the production of the pricing build ups against each work item or service being priced and the analysis of any subcontract/third party returns when this is applicable into the estimating software. Selects and applies appropriate tools and techniques. Undertakes the pricing of consultancy rates for providing a specified level of service. Prepares a detailed analysis of all returned supplier quotations and the work scope has been properly priced and included for. Applies relevant methods of inflation risk pricing for a project. Understands the use and application of published price adjustment indices from multiple sources. Provides all necessary checks and balances to reduce the risk of pricing errors in quantity and scope of the works. Ensures that no unpriced items remain un-reviewed and that the full scope of the work has been covered. Undertakes the pricing of the preliminary's workbook. Agrees the requirements for Staffing, Attendant Labour, Accommodation, Key Plant and equipment, Health and Safety requirements, IT setup, Insurances & Bonding requirements, Temporary Works, Fees and all other necessary on-costs for the project. Completes the Tender or Proposal summary in respect of any risk, inflationary allowances, opportunities pricing, fees, Profit, Overheads and any other necessary on-cost inclusions to conclude the tender total for the settlement meetings. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of governance, risk and control appropriate to the organisation and the project. Understands the principles and practice of risk management and the relevance and use of theories, processes and tools. Develops and implements methods of recording risks and opportunities for the project estimate and contributes to developing the strategies for mitigation. Prepares for and contributes to Risk and Opportunity (Workshops) from the estimating perspective. Identifies, analyses and evaluates the nature and impact of risks and opportunities on a project. Develops and implements communication structures and plans within the estimating team. Communicates the estimating requirements for the project at all kick off and interim bid team meetings. Prepares for and presents clearly all the aspects of the estimate at the sector, divisional and group settlement meetings in order to obtain the necessary delegated authority for bid submission. Communicates well both written and verbally at all workshops and meeting from the estimating perspective. Demonstrates persuasion and collaboration in all bid team meetings. Demonstrates good practice in respect of the storage and retrieval of historical estimating information and benchmarking information. Analyses historical data for use in benchmarking a current estimate proposal. Demonstrates good practice in respect of document control and the storage and retrieval of general estimating records. Understands the importance of good document control during the bid process and applies techniques to preserve data for the project

Desirable

Extensive experience working in a Senior Estimating role. Experienced in pricing medium to large value civil engineering works in the highways, rail, nuclear and water sectors would be an advantage. Customer Focused, Open and Honest, Safe and Environmentally aware, Team Players, Accountable, Improving Continuously and so the Natural Choice Must be commercially aware and a lateral thinker with a knowledge of various Forms of Contract Good communication skills with other members of the team and with external contacts. Must be a good team player and always adopt a positive "can-do" approach

Essential

Degree level qualified or equivalent in a Civil Engineering or Building related discipline.

Desirable

Preferably Chartered
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Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.



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