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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating for mechanical and electrical projects, ensuring competitive and accurate submissions.
- Company: Established building services contractor with a diverse project portfolio.
- Benefits: Salary up to £70,000, car allowance, private healthcare, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Take ownership of estimating and influence tendering strategy in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Experience in M&E estimating and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for long-term career progression in a stable environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced M&E Estimator ready to take full ownership of an estimating function and influence tendering strategy at a senior level? We are working with a well-established building services contractor delivering mechanical and electrical projects across a diverse construction portfolio. Due to continued growth, they are seeking a technically strong and commercially astute Estimating Manager to lead their M&E estimating department.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all estimating and tendering activity, ensuring accurate, compliant and competitive submissions are produced on time. You will manage and develop a small estimating team while playing a key role in bid strategy, value engineering and risk management. This is a leadership-focused role, with hands-on involvement where required, but with primary responsibility for governance, accuracy and strategic input across the estimating function.
Key Responsibilities
- Estimating & Tender Oversight
- Lead the preparation and review of cost estimates for mechanical and electrical building services installations, including HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing and associated works.
- Review tender documentation, drawings and specifications to identify scope, risks and opportunities.
- Ensure bills of quantities and pricing schedules are accurate, competitive and reflective of the works.
- Chair internal pre-tender meetings and coordinate timely, compliant bid submissions.
- Present tender strategies and cost summaries to senior management for approval.
- Team Leadership
- Line manage and support mechanical and electrical estimators.
- Allocate workloads to meet multiple tender deadlines.
- Mentor and develop the team to improve estimating accuracy and consistency.
- Support recruitment and onboarding as the estimating function grows.
- Commercial & Strategic Input
- Work closely with design and operational teams to align tender strategy.
- Provide value engineering options and alternative solutions.
- Build and maintain strong supplier and subcontractor relationships to secure competitive pricing.
- Contribute to bid / no-bid decisions and overall tendering strategy.
- Support post-tender negotiations and produce detailed handover packs for delivery teams.
- Risk & Quality Management
- Identify and manage technical and commercial risk within tenders.
- Ensure estimates comply with internal procedures, quality standards and H&S requirements.
- Develop and improve cost models and estimating procedures.
- Carry out post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and improve future accuracy.
About You
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong technical background in mechanical and electrical building services.
- Proven experience leading or managing an M&E estimating function.
- Excellent understanding of tender processes, bills of quantities and cost modelling.
- Commercially aware with a high level of attention to detail.
- Confident working under pressure and managing competing deadlines.
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent in Building Services, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar (preferred but not essential if experience is strong).
What's On Offer
- Salary £60,000 to £70,000
- £6,600 car allowance
- Pension 3% employer, 4% employee + 1% government top-up
- Private healthcare
- Hybrid working model
- Long-term career progression within a stable and growing business.
Estimating Manager in Chelmsford employer: WR HVACR
Contact Detail:
WR HVACR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimating Manager in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for an Estimating Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of tender processes. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As an Estimating Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team effectively. Think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully managed projects or mentored others, and be ready to share those stories during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got a range of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of getting noticed by hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimating Manager in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Estimating Manager role. Highlight your experience in M&E estimating and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of your past successes in estimating and how you can contribute to our growth.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical background in mechanical and electrical building services. We’re keen on seeing your understanding of tender processes and cost modelling, so make sure these are front and centre!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at WR HVACR
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Estimating Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost estimation. Brush up on your knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully managed costs. Prepare to explain how you approach value engineering and risk management.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored or developed others in the past. Think about times when you've allocated workloads effectively or supported team members through challenges. Highlight your communication skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
✨Understand the Tender Process
Familiarise yourself with the tendering process and be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance and accuracy in submissions. You might be asked about your experience with bills of quantities and pricing schedules, so have some examples ready that showcase your attention to detail and commercial awareness.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential risks in estimating and how you would manage them. Be ready to discuss how you would handle tight deadlines or conflicting priorities, as this role requires working under pressure while maintaining high standards.
