The Senior Estimator is responsible for leading and supporting the estimating and costing functions for turnkey and project-based retail developments. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the preparation of accurate, competitive, and commercially viable estimates and quotations while contributing to the successful delivery of projects.

The position has a strong strategic focus on strengthening the company's estimating capability and establishing a dedicated costing function within the Turnkey/Projects Department. It also forms part of the clients succession planning strategy, with the successful candidate being mentored to eventually assume leadership of the estimating department.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Cost Management

• Prepare accurate Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, budgets, and quotations for turnkey and project-based retail developments.
• Analyse drawings, specifications, tender documentation, and project requirements to determine accurate costing.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Ensure estimates remain commercially competitive while maintaining company profitability.
• Identify project risks, value engineering opportunities, and cost-saving initiatives.

Turnkey Project Support

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the company's turnkey project lifecycle, from project inception through to final handover.
• Support project teams during tender, planning, procurement, and execution phases.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Operations to ensure pricing aligns with project requirements.
• Assist with project budgeting, forecasting, and cost monitoring throughout the project lifecycle.

Department Development

• Assist in establishing and developing a dedicated estimating and costing function within the Turnkey/Projects Department.
• Develop and maintain estimating systems, pricing databases, templates, and costing standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance estimating accuracy and efficiency.
• Standardise estimating processes and documentation across projects.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with internal departments including Projects, Procurement, Manufacturing, Finance, Commercial, and Executive Management.
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, and clients during the estimating process.
• Provide commercial input during tender adjudication and project negotiations where required.

Mentorship & Succession Planning

• As part of the company's long-term succession strategy, the successful candidate will:
• Work closely with Ronnie Riep Snr in an understudy capacity.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the company's existing estimating, costing, and pricing methodologies.
• Learn historical costing data, pricing structures, and institutional knowledge.
• Gradually assume increasing responsibility within the estimating department.
• Progress towards leading the estimating and costing function as part of the company's succession planning programme.

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Building Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant estimating or quantity surveying qualifications will be advantageous.

Experience Required

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in estimating, quantity surveying, costing, or commercial management.
• Extensive experience within shopfitting, retail fit-outs, construction, manufacturing, or turnkey project environments.
• Proven experience preparing detailed BOQs, tenders, estimates, and quotations.
• Strong understanding of project costing, procurement, and contract administration.
• Experience working on multi-disciplinary retail or commercial projects.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Advanced knowledge of estimating principles and cost control.
• Ability to interpret architectural, construction, and manufacturing drawings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and estimating software.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure while meeting strict tender deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
• Professional, ethical, and accountable.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Strong leadership and mentoring potential.
• Ability to build effective relationships across departments.
• Results-driven with excellent time management skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and competitiveness of project estimates.
• Tender success rate and profitability.
• Timely submission of quotations and tenders.
• Accuracy of project budgets versus actual costs.
• Development and implementation of estimating systems and standards.
• Supplier and subcontractor pricing effectiveness.
• Contribution to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Progression within the succession planning programme.

Working Conditions

• Based at the Head Office and Manufacturing Facility on the East Rand.
• Office-based with regular interaction across manufacturing, procurement, and project teams.
• Occasional travel to project sites and client meetings may be required.
• Additional hours may be necessary during tender submissions and major project deadlines.

Systems Development & Process Improvement

• Drive the implementation of new estimating, costing, and project management software to enhance departmental efficiency and accuracy.
• Research, evaluate, and introduce modern estimating technologies, digital tools, and industry best practices.
• Develop and maintain integrated costing databases, pricing libraries, and standardised estimating templates.
• Streamline estimating workflows to reduce errors, improve turnaround times, and enhance operational performance.
• Standardise estimating and costing processes to ensure consistency, scalability, and quality across all turnkey and project-based operations.
• Identify opportunities for automation and continuous process improvement to strengthen the commercial function.
• Work collaboratively with Executive Management, IT, Finance, Procurement, and Project teams to ensure successful implementation of new systems and processes.

Future Leadership Role

• As part of the company's long-term succession planning strategy, the successful candidate will progressively assume responsibility for leading the Costing and Estimating Department by:
• Providing strategic leadership and direction for the estimating and commercial function.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing the estimating team.
• Driving departmental performance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of estimating systems, pricing models, and commercial controls.
• Ensuring estimating methodologies remain aligned with current industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Supporting Executive Management with commercial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
• Contributing to the company's long-term growth strategy through innovation, efficiency improvements, and enhanced commercial capability.