Junior Estimator

SUMMARY:

The primary duties of the Junior Estimator are to evaluate Project specifications and drawings, ensuring that the Company knows everything required to successfully buy out our products. Junior Estimators must aggressively follow-up with subcontractors to ensure that bids are received.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Junior Estimator’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Main point of contact for bidding and contracting all trades. Takes full responsibility for bidding, negotiation, and hiring trade contractors to maintain a competitive edge on costs while meeting the company’s standards or quality, reliability, and overall performance of trade contractors and suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors, trade partners, and suppliers to establish, through competitive bid, and maintain pricing and ensure pricing is in accordance with specifications, plans, and scopes of work, to obtain the best deals on behalf of the company.
• Research, review, and recruit new products, procedures, methods of construction, qualified trade contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors available to identify opportunities for improved quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness for cost analysis and consideration on future projects or specifications, in addition to facilitating the improvement of existing trade contractor and supplier relationships.
• Conduct cost analysis, price proposals, and other data and information and establish benchmarks for improvement to determine prices, quality and service are in Garden Communities’ best interest.
• Initiates and coordinates the Request for Quote (RFQ) and/or Request for Proposal (RFP) for goods, materials, supplies and inventory items.
• Reviews bids, negotiate price and favorable terms. Request budget approval.
• Transmits addenda and other bid information to subcontractors. Ensures proper coverage from subcontractors on bid day.
• Research and evaluate potential suppliers based on price, quality, availability, reliability, production, capability and supplier’s reputation and track records, and other criteria.
• Verifying purchases by comparing them to previous purchases and recommending alternatives.
• Analyze and compare bids and proposals with respect to prices, past performance (quality, ability to work on schedule, proper supervision) financial stability, or in the case of a trade contactor new to the company, their relationship with other builders.
• Obtain alternate costs and hourly rates as needed to fully contract potential changes to the contract requirements and for time-and-material work.
• Enters all relevant information in Bid Spreads. Submits 100% of bids and budgets by the bid deadline.
• Review and track requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
• Review documentation and plans, landscaping plan, T24, soil reports, and project timeline.
• Review and track requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology and specifications.
• Review drawings with Project Management team and highlight areas of concern.
• Review job cost with team and highlight any subs/material vendors that still need to be awarded.
• Has a thorough understanding of all current plans and specifications, the scope for specific trades assigned, and how to fit subs to the size/scope of the project. Know your trades capability, capacity, and quality of work prior to awarding the bid.
• Develops RFI's and clarifications to ensure adequate subcontractor coverage.
• Performs a comprehensive "bid day" analysis and scoping of specific assigned trades.
• Creates bid lists that fit scope of job ensuring that we have the right subs for the project. Include value-engineering ideas on every bid.
• Accurately and thoroughly bid and contract communities so the best market costs are received, accurate budgets are reported and maintained.
• Properly turns over bid documents and sub buyout information to Project team in a timely manner.
• Thoroughly checks requirements to buy the proper scope.
• Awards subs in a timely manner to ensure release of materials.
• Provide subs with as much information as possible (PM, Super, permit status, etc.). Ensures that subs are aware of (and commit to) the project schedule.
• Ensure all contracts, job start, and other purchasing items are accurate, thorough, completed, and distributed.
• Interact with appropriate internal and external personnel to clearly and thoroughly communicate proper standards and expectations and respond to and resolve any concerns.
• Communicate work progress and any outstanding issues, provide support for any concerns regarding subcontractor, scopes, and contracts.
• Communicate with Project team in a proactive manner to ensure that all necessary plans are obtained and bid in a timely manner.
• Maintain open communication with on-site construction team.
• Respond to calls/emails from production regarding contracts, plans, misc. questions, etc.
• Respond to calls from subcontractors regarding contracts, field concerns, etc.
• Interacts and maintains relationship with suppliers to schedule or expedite delivery and shipping times.
• Prepare purchase orders for review and approval and organize and confirm delivery of goods and services.
• Prepare contract change order requests.
• Maintain material take-offs from working drawings and check take-offs made by suppliers.
• Maintain trade scopes of work to ensure they match the project plans and specifications.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with trade partners and strong team relationships with other departments within Garden Communities, including project management, marketing, business development, accounting, and superintendents.
• Double-check all critical work deliverables to minimize mistakes.
• Additional duties as may be assigned by Vice President.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations are available, upon request, to assist qualified persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, as needed.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• College degree in business, construction management or related field, preferred. Minimum of 1 year related experience and/ or training in purchasing capacity with a residential and/or multi-family construction builder required.

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and/ or move up to 20 pounds. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, or otherwise move about the property, units, and rooftop, squat, open doors, climb/ descend stairs.

• At times, may require prolonged movement about the construction site.

• Regularly performs computer work, and operates general office equipment (computer, phones, fax machine, copier or scanner) and does filing.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• Must be able to communicate effectively (orally and written) in a professional manner on a regular basis with management and co-workers within the company as well as residents and outside vendors. Works well as part of a team. Follows instructions and responds to management’s direction. Takes constructive criticism and uses it as a learning tool.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY:

• Is reliable and consistently at work and on time; willing to travel, and work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

TRAVEL

• Travel may be required within the Southern California and Arizona Region.

OTHER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE

• An energetic, positive, ethical and enthusiastic leader with strong people management skills. Effective communicator, trainer and motivator. Inspires trust, respect and loyal team relationships.

• Thrives managing multiple complex transactions and demonstrates the ability to work independently, think critically, exercise good judgment, and take initiative.

• Effective negotiation skills.

• Understands business objectives (focus on profitability, quality, professionalism, efficiency and effective use of time), and is results driven. Develops practical strategies to achieve business objectives. Makes sound business decisions.

• Excels in a fast paced, dynamic environment; ability to adapt to changing priorities; remains organized, detail-oriented, accurate, and focused under pressure; able to meet deadlines.

• Calmly and effectively manages conflict, difficult and/or emotional situations; focusing on resolving issues and achieving an effective solution, rather than on blame.

• General understanding of company’s policies and laws applicable to the conduct of business; follows and enforces such policies and laws.

• Works independently with little or only general supervision.

• Is accountable for the responsibilities of the position; accepts constructive criticism in a positive manner.

• Ability to plan, budget, schedule staff and resources effectively and efficiently.

• Willing to “roll up their sleeves” on the job and embrace new subject areas and undertake tasks outside their prior experience with enthusiasm and confidence.

• Treats others with respect; shows sensitivity to and respect for cultural differences; supports diverse workforce and helps to ensure a workplace and living community free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

• Maintains confidentiality and discretion with regard to sensitive proprietary and confidential information of Company, residents, and customers.

Pay range: $31.35-$39.33/hr.

GC Service Corp. is an equal opportunity employer, veterans and disabled.