Roles and responsibilities
The Principal Estimator interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices. They will be tasked with solving complex estimating-related problems and will work independently with minimal guidance. The Principal Estimator may be responsible for leading functional teams or projects and is regarded as a specialist in estimating. As such, they must have in-depth expertise in Estimating and broad knowledge of the Estimating discipline within the Project Controls function.
Responsible for timely producing the hook-up estimates / deliverables for the assigned bids which includes identification of hook-up scope of work (all disciplines), raise technical clarifications to remove ambiguity, preparation of presentation summarizing the hook-up scope, organize strategy meetings with hook-up function and get their buy-ins on hook-up estimates etc.
Responsibilities
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Provide guidance and leadership to the Functional Estimators, and Bench Markers
- Ensure that the estimates produced are of the highest quality and technically compliant
- Support and assist the Estimating Manager
- Work with the Proposal team to prepare estimates and bids for clients
- Attend all tender-related meetings
- Understand the Proposal requirements and direct attention to those areas that appear inconsistent or contain a high-risk element FF
- Read the technical documents to prepare a proper estimate
- Gather information and input from functions with support from the project manager
- Consult with Subject Matter Expert (SME) to discuss estimates and resolve issues
- Create an estimate with available benchmarks and from experience before receiving the inputs from functions and evaluate the estimates received from functions against the internal estimate
- Give regular updates to the department manager /immediate supervisor and highlight any concerns about anything that might potentially jeopardize submitting a competitive proposal
- Analyze the cost components that are critical/crucial and seek quotes for those items
- Attend and participate in Bid review meetings, estimate evaluation meetings, Risk assessment meetings, etc., as required
- Analyze and comment on the execution plans of the project
- Prepare a comprehensive Basis of Estimate (BOE) to be discussed and reviewed with managers
- Predict the cost, size, and duration of future Projects is vital to the survival of businesses
- Analyze many inputs to determine how much time, money, and labor a project needs and how profitable it will be, consider several factors, including allowances for wasted material, bad weather, shipping delays, and other factors that can increase costs and lower profitability
- Utilize support from the benchmarking team by analyzing information on the costs from other similar projects and preparing the relevant benchmark report
- Assure that the estimate is:
- Completed promptly
- Cognizant of the Bid ‘Win Strategy’
- Accurate, free of errors, omission, or hidden contingency
- In line with the agreed execution plan
- Evaluate and recommend ways to be more cost-effective or profitable
Desired candidate profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is a plus
- 7+ years of experience in a large Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company (preferably in estimating, project controls, and data analytics)
- Cost estimation experience, preferably in the Oil & Gas industry at a Senior or Supervisory level
- Willingness to work overtime as necessary to meet deadlines
- Intermediate/Advanced level in Microsoft Office systems, e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- Accurately evaluate detailed specifications that are crucial to a cost estimator’s success
- Must pay attention to minute details because such details may impact a product’s overall cost
- Must plan their work and work efficiently and accurately
- Must be able to write detailed reports to determine the management decision on the Project Controls approach
- Knowledge of Estimating Software