Estimating Manager / Senior Estimating Manager

Location: Cwmbran, South Wales
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Sector: Structural Steel / Steel Engineering

Are you an experienced Structural Steel Estimator or Estimating Manager looking for your next challenge?

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established steel engineering business in South Wales, working across a range of technically demanding structural steel projects within sectors including infrastructure, rail, aviation, architectural and specialist engineering.

This is more than a traditional estimating position. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to take a lead role within the estimating function, providing direction to the team while remaining hands-on with the preparation and review of major tenders.

The Role

As the Estimating Manager / Senior Estimating Manager, you will take responsibility for overseeing the estimating process and ensuring the business produces accurate, competitive and commercially viable tenders.

You will be involved from the initial enquiry through to tender submission, working closely with clients, contractors and internal teams to understand project requirements and ensure all costs and risks are properly considered.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing and overseeing the estimating function
• Reviewing incoming enquiries and assessing tender opportunities
• Analysing structural drawings, specifications and project information
• Preparing and reviewing detailed estimates and quotations
• Calculating labour, material, fabrication and installation costs
• Obtaining and assessing supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Identifying project risks, exclusions, assumptions and commercial considerations
• Liaising with clients and main contractors to clarify tender requirements
• Working closely with engineering, project management, procurement and commercial teams
• Reviewing tender returns to ensure estimates are accurate and commercially viable
• Supporting the business in securing profitable projects
• Managing priorities across multiple tenders and deadlines
• Developing and maintaining effective estimating processes and standards

The Management Side

This isn't simply a Senior Estimator role with a different job title.

The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction within the estimating team, helping to develop processes, maintain estimating standards and support the wider team.

You'll still be expected to remain technically and commercially hands-on, so this would suit someone who enjoys being involved in the detail of complex tenders but is ready to take greater ownership of the estimating function.

The ideal career background could be:

Estimator → Senior Estimator → Estimating Manager / Head of Estimating

However, candidates who are currently operating at Senior Estimator level and are ready to take their next step into management will also be considered.

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in structural steel estimating, with a good understanding of both fabrication and erection.

You'll ideally have:

• Strong structural steel estimating experience
• Experience pricing fabricated and erected steelwork
• The ability to interpret structural drawings and specifications
• Strong knowledge of steelwork quantities and fabrication requirements
• Experience producing detailed tenders from enquiry through to submission
• Strong commercial awareness
• Experience dealing with clients, main contractors, suppliers and subcontractors
• The ability to assess project risk, exclusions and profitability
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or supporting other estimators
• A strong understanding of the structural steel supply chain
• Excellent attention to detail and numerical ability
• The ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines

🏢 The Projects

The business works on complex structural steel and engineering projects, meaning this opportunity would suit someone who enjoys pricing work that requires more than simply putting together a standard fabrication quotation.

Experience within areas such as:

• Infrastructure
• Rail
• Aviation
• Architectural steel
• Specialist engineering
• Heavy structural steel
• Complex fabrication

would be particularly relevant.

🚀 Why Consider the Role?

This is an opportunity to take a genuine step forward in your estimating career, with responsibility for both the commercial side of tendering and the development of the estimating function.

Whether you're already an Estimating Manager or you're an experienced Senior Estimator looking for your first management position, this role offers the chance to take greater ownership, influence the estimating process and play an important part in securing the company's future projects.