Senior Estimator - Construction & Groundworks in Gloucester

Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd is a family run business owned and run by the Smith family since 1982. Smiths has grown from a single owner-operated plant hire company to a multifaceted group with family values still firmly at the heart of each project undertaken. With depots in Avonmouth, Cardiff, Gloucester, Stonehouse and Tewkesbury we operate predominately across the South-West of England. We specialise in Construction, Waste Management, Plant Hire, Demolition and Transport operations.

We are seeking an experienced Estimator with 5+ years proven experience estimating in the Construction industry. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of contracts, excellent financial acumen and strong negotiation and leadership skills. A Quantity Surveyor with a desire to progress into estimating would be a suitable candidate. The successful candidate will have experience in preparing tender rates from first principles, as Smiths self-deliver their works using our own resources. You will be based from our Head Office (GL2 7ND) working on projects that are across the South-West and South Wales.

The Senior Construction Estimator plays a critical role in securing profitable work by leading the preparation of accurate, competitive, and commercially sound cost estimates for construction projects across the business. Working closely with Pre-Construction, Commercial, Operational, and Supply Chain teams, the role involves full ownership of the tendering and estimating process—from initial enquiry through to final bid submission. The successful candidate will bring a strategic approach to pricing, strong market awareness, and the ability to identify risks, opportunities, and value engineering solutions. This role requires a highly experienced professional capable of managing complex tenders, mentoring junior estimators, and contributing to long-term business growth and bidding strategy.

Responsibilities for the job role:

• Working on groundworks and civil engineering projects
• Maintain and develop relationships with clients & suppliers
• Always work closely with the pre-contract team and stakeholders
• Manage incoming tenders, ITT’s and workload
• Arrange and chair tender launch meetings
• Visit site and determine site conditions, where applicable
• Understand the tender / ITT instructions; working with the pre-contract team determine own actions and those to be undertaken by others
• Undertake measurement in accordance with prevailing methods and standards
• Create and deliver sustainable strategies to secure profitable tender & ITT opportunities
• Price detailed tenders, using company software, identifying resource requirements, activity outputs, best subcontractor and supplier rates
• Prepare target prices, budgets and rates from first principles
• Complete cost comparisons
• Price Bills of Quantities and Activity Schedules - prepare compliant tenders & quotations
• Prepare tender books and profit plans for internal tender settlements
• Prepare risk registers for incorporation into the Contract documentation and for use within live projects
• Review and understand tender instructions and proposed conditions of (sub)contract
• Complete tender and submit approved tenders & quotations
• Manage and prepare amendments to tender during the tender process
• Engage with Clients, Consultants and Main Contractors when preparing tenders and actively follow up our submissions to improve likelihood of success
• Help build a scalable estimating team aligned with the future business growth

What can we offer you?

• Be part of a successful family run business
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Competitive Salary
• Free on-site Parking
• Corporate gym membership discount
• Annual Salary Review
• Employee discount (50% on Skip Hire, other discounts on group services)
• Progression opportunities
• 24 hour unlimited access to mental health support

What are our core values?

• Honesty - We believe that honesty in all matters is the best policy.
• Family values - We operate as a family unit with high moral standards, discipline and respect.
• Hardworking - We are certain that nothing is impossible if you work hard enough at it.
• Reliability - We pride ourselves on not letting people down and being true to our word.
• Environmental sustainability - We aim to minimise the impact that our company has on the environment by reducing emissions and waste, and recycling a large proportion of our waste (90% plus). We truly believe in a greener future for generations to come.

Please apply if you are interested in this role and we will come back to you.