Chief Estimator

Job Summary
The Chief Estimator at Lywood Electric leads all planning, coordinating, and personnel management in Lywood's estimating department. The Chief Estimator is responsible for overseeing the preparation of accurate, competitive, and profitable electrical estimates for commercial, industrial, and utility projects. The Chief Estimator will ensure that all bids are completed on time, and in accordance with Lywood standards and customer expectations.

The position plays a strategic role in business development, cost control, and process improvement. The Chief Estimator will also develop leadership, improve our broad range of project planning, and have the opportunity to grow with Lywood.

Duties

· Lead the execution of detailed electrical estimates for commercial, industrial, and utility projects.

· Review all project plans, specifications, and contract documents to determine scope of work and required resources.

· Maintain and update unit pricing databases and historical cost data.

· Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive pricing.

· Evaluate subcontractor and vendor quotations for completeness and accuracy.

· Conduct risk analysis along with contingencies and identify potential value engineering during the estimating process.

· Ensure estimates are complete, and review scope items thoroughly.

· Present estimates to senior management prior to bid submission.

· Management, training, and mentoring a team of estimators.

· Assign tasks and manage workloads within the estimating team.

· Ability to provide training on estimating software, best practices, and industry standards.

· Lead a collaborative and high-performance team culture.

· Establish annual goals with the estimating team and develop tracking metrics.

· Manage all Accubid databases.

· Assess potential improvements and development related to estimating tools, templates, and methods.

· Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and industry regulations.

· Support and collaborate with the preconstruction team.

· Collaborate with division managers and project managers to ensure alignment between estimates and execution.

· Conduct periodic site visits to evaluate estimate approach versus actual means and methods.

· Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and customer presentations.

· Lead estimating meetings with DM, Ops Managers, and Estimators, in order to maximize our bid success rate and ensure Lywood's profitability while maintaining competitiveness.

· Build and maintain relationships with general contractors, developers, architects, engineers, suppliers, and distributors.

· Support business development efforts by identifying opportunities.

· Monitor market trends, attend industry events, and network.

Qualifications

· Minimum 10 years of experience in electrical estimating, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

· Experience in commercial, industrial, and utility projects including design build and plan/spec estimating.

· Proficiency in Accubid estimating software.

· Experience with BIM or preconstruction.

· Strong understanding of electrical systems, the NEC, local codes, and construction practices.

· Strong skills with productivity software (Microsoft Office, Word. Excel, etc.)

· Excellent analytical skills crucial to electrical scope and understanding of all trades drawing sets.

· Strategic and proactive thinker when engaged in problem-solving.

· High attention to detail, and a commitment to quality and accuracy.

· Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to lead, inspire, and motivate a team.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80, $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person