Senior Estimator - Construction & Groundworks in Stroud

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.

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. 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 who wishes to progress into estimating would also be suitable.

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, ITTs and workload
• Arrange and chair tender launch meetings
• Visit site and determine site conditions, where applicable
• Understand the tender / ITT instructions; work with the pre‑contract team to 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.