Head of Estimating

Overview

Head of Estimating

Location:

Near Doncaster, South Yorkshire (UK)

Employment Type:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary up to £50k plus package

Venatu Recruitment are supporting our client, a specialist engineering and heavy fabrication business delivering high-quality solutions across a range of construction and civil engineering sectors. Based near Doncaster, they pride themselves on technical excellence, commercial awareness, and strong customer relationships.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Estimating to lead and develop the estimating function. This is a senior role combining technical estimating expertise with commercial and sales-driven responsibilities. The successful candidate will have a strong background in heavy fabrication, a proactive approach to managing Invitations to Tender (ITTs), and the ability to support business growth through customer engagement and bid success.

• Estimating & Commercial Leadership
  • Lead the estimating department, setting standards, processes, and best practice
  • Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates for heavy fabrication and engineering projects
  • Review drawings, specifications, and client requirements to produce robust tenders
  • Ensure estimates reflect labour, materials, subcontracting, overheads, and risk
• Tender & ITT Management
  • Proactively manage, track, and chase ITTs to maximise bid opportunities
  • Coordinate with internal teams to gather technical and commercial inputs
  • Evaluate tender risks and opportunities and advise senior management accordingly
  • Ensure all submissions are compliant, commercially sound, and submitted on time
• Sales & Business Development Support
  • Use sales experience to support customer engagement and tender clarification
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and partners
  • Support negotiations and contribute to converting tenders into secured orders
  • Provide market feedback and pricing intelligence to support growth strategy
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with production, engineering, procurement, and project management teams
  • Support handover of successful bids into project delivery
  • Mentor and develop estimating staff where applicable

Note: Essential and Desirable requirements are listed below.

• Essential
  • Proven experience in estimating within heavy fabrication or engineering
  • Strong understanding of fabrication processes, materials, and manufacturing methods
  • Demonstrable experience managing and chasing ITTs
  • Sales or commercially focused background with the ability to influence outcomes
  • Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Desirable
  • Experience leading or managing an estimating team
  • Knowledge of UK engineering or fabrication markets
  • Familiarity with estimating software and ERP systems
• Personal Attributes
  • Proactive, driven, and commercially minded
  • Confident communicator with a customer-focused approach
  • Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple deadlines
  • Comfortable working at a senior level within the business