Estimating Manager

About the Company
A well-established residential building business based in Hamilton, Brisbane, is looking for an experienced Estimating Manager to take ownership of its estimating program.

Estimating sits at the centre of the business, with projects priced from in-house designs, quantity take-offs, supplier and trade rates. The business operates through a fully integrated Databuild and Onsite Companion workflow system.

With the current Estimating Manager moving on, this is an opportunity for an experienced estimator to step into a key position, take ownership of the estimating function and build on the systems already in place.

About the Role
As the Estimating Manager, you will take ownership of the estimating program while remaining hands-on with the day-to-day estimating function.
You will prepare take-offs, budgets and estimates, manage supplier and trade pricing, identify cost-saving opportunities and lead and mentor the estimating team.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will work closely with the construction, operations and product development teams to ensure projects are accurately priced, cost-effective and aligned with the company's objectives.
This is a key role for someone who is committed, reliable and enthusiastic, with a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency, profitability and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the integrated Databuild system, including cost codes, catalogues and pricing databases.
• Maintain the flow of data between Databuild and Onsite Companion.
• Prepare and review accurate quantity take-offs, bills of quantities and Job Analysis Reports.
• Conduct technical plan reviews at both Preliminary Plans and Working Drawings stages.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates for customer proposals, factoring in general and special conditions.
• Ensure sales estimates meet required budgets and deadlines.
• Develop scopes of works for external stakeholders.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations and negotiate pricing to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Prepare project budgets for management approval and monitor actual costs against budget.
• Report on project progress, costs and profitability to management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Ensure subcontractor licences and insurances are current and accurately recorded in Onsite Companion.
• Lead, mentor and support the estimating team.
• Assist with internal projects and business initiatives as required.

About You To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 5+ years' experience in construction estimating, ideally within residential building.
• Strong, hands-on experience with Databuild, including operation, administration and maintaining pricing databases and cost codes.
• Strong knowledge of cost estimation, bills of quantities and material take-offs.
• Experience conducting technical plan reviews at Preliminary Plans and Working Drawings stages.
• Experience preparing detailed budgets and analysing supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor compliance, including licensing and insurance requirements.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A highly analytical, organised and detail-oriented approach.
• The ability to identify cost savings without compromising quality.
• A proactive and results-driven approach, with a focus on process improvement.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Relevant qualifications in construction management, quantity surveying or estimating, or equivalent industry experience.

Our Systems Hands-on Databuild experience is essential. The successful candidate will be trained on the other systems where required.

• Databuild – Construction estimating, job costing and accounting.
• Onsite Companion – Site and project management, linked with Databuild.
• Therefore – Document management and invoice approval workflow.

The Opportunity This is an opportunity to step into a key position within a growing residential building business and have genuine ownership over the estimating function.

You will have the opportunity to lead an established estimating team, work directly with the Managing Director and contribute to improving systems, processes and profitability across the business.

If you are an experienced residential estimator with strong Databuild experience and are ready to take the next step into an Estimating Manager position, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV, or contact us for a confidential discussion.