Chief Estimator

Summary
The Chief Estimator for Kent Companies’ National Mission Critical team leads the estimating team while also assisting with monthly revenue projections, and the job start-up process. The Chief Estimator will work closely with a team of professionals, including architects, engineers, and construction managers, to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. The Chief Estimator will play a critical role in shaping the National Mission Critical team and will report to the Division Manager. This is a permanent position that offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for commercial division, including material, labor, equipment, and other related costs.
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, and other documentation to prepare comprehensive cost estimates.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other construction professionals to develop cost-effective design solutions.
• Analyze subcontractor bids and vendor quotes to ensure accuracy and competitiveness.
• Participate in project meetings and provide updates on cost estimates and budget status.
• Strong ability to provide coaching, training and mentorship to estimators and junior estimators.
• Strong belief in the value of building a second-to-none work environment.
• Able to forecast, adjust, and overcome future challenges.
• Foster a company first mentality hit to target rate.
• Ensures all information in the CRM (Unanet) is accurate and continuously updated and maintains the hot list in real-time, including all notes and strategies.?
• Develops customer strategies based on KPIs to achieve specific outcomes.
• Provides value engineering and design assist solutions, including cost/schedule impacts.
• Establishes and maintains robust relationships with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a national vendor network to maximize effective resource sourcing and allocation.
• Develops estimating strategies that align with the Divisional annual and quarterly initiatives, including whether to pursue projects based on risk, schedule, and manpower.
• Improves innovative estimating processes to ensure accurate estimates consistent with Divisional costs.
• Identifies project-specific risk issues, the potential impact on Kent Companies, and potential strategies to help mitigate those risks.
• Reviews all estimates to validate the accuracy of takeoff techniques, production rates, subcontractor, and vendor pricing.
• Responsible for the "project hand-off" to the project management and field operations team to ensure a clear understanding of project scope, build assumptions, schedule, and manpower assumptions.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties and Responsibilities are not comprehensive and can be changed at any time, with or without notice.

Required Experience, Education, and Qualifications

• 6 years of experience in Commercial Concrete Estimating, with a focus in Data Centers, Advanced Manufacturing, and Mission Critical Facilities.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency in estimating software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, materials, and costs.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be willing to travel nationally, up to 25%.
• Must have reliable transportation to the workplace(s)/ job location(s).
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and in the future.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or construction science and 8 years of experience in an Estimating role
• Experience working in construction for a self-performing general contractor or Commercial Concrete Contractor.
• 10 years’ experience in concrete and a preference for 4 years’ project management experience.

Benefits
Kent Companies provides its employees with one of the most competitive compensation and benefits packages in the construction industry. Benefits vary by location, with a fully customized benefits package presented upon hire. Typical benefits packages include:

• Weekly pay
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Paid Travel
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plans with discretionary employer-matching
• Holiday pay (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
• Scholarship opportunities for dependents
• Leadership development opportunities

Perks associated with this role
Our goal is to offer an unparalleled career progression that is not precisely pre-determined; rather, it builds on the teammate’s strengths, interests, and pursuits as the individual gains experience, grows, and develops in their career. You would be hard-pressed to find another ENR Top 6 Commercial Concrete Company that parallels Kent Companies.

Work Environment/Physical Demand
This role involves work in both office settings and active job sites and requires the ability to meet a range of physical demands. Candidates must be able to lift up to 80 lbs and work in variable environments, including but not limited to extreme temperatures, areas near traffic, loud and frequent noise, confined spaces, elevated heights, and both indoor and outdoor settings. The position regularly requires climbing, kneeling, bending, crawling, and working safely on ladders, platforms, and mechanical lifts.

Position type, travel, and expected hours of work
This is a full-time position. This role involves a standard full-time schedule with additional time required to meet project demands and to meet project demands. This role requires the ability to work non-typical days and irregular hours based on construction schedules. Due to the critical nature of the role, accepting phone calls even during nontypical workdays and hours is also necessary.

Office Location
Remote

About Kent Companies
Kent Companies is a full-service specialty trade contractor with operations across Michigan, Texas, Ohio, and the Carolinas. As a third-generation, family-owned business, we believe our people are our greatest assets. We employ over 2,000 trade professionals nationwide and deliver every project with our Four Hallmarks: Safety, Productivity, Quality, and Customer Service. Kent Companies is known as The Leaders in Concrete™ and continuously ranks in the Top 10 Concrete Contractors nationwide by ENR Magazine.

Kent Companies’ family of brands includes Kent Concrete, Kent Underlayments, Kent Facilities, Kent Foundation Solutions, and Foundation Rescue Supply.

Kent Concrete
We deliver comprehensive, turnkey concrete construction services for customers nationwide. Our services include structural concrete, tilt-up concrete, concrete paving, curb and gutter, and concrete pumping. From the most complex cast-in-place structures to mission-critical facilities, our customers turn to us because they know we’ll deliver the horsepower and expertise to get the job done.

About our National Mission Critical and Advanced Manufacturing Division.
Kent Companies’ National Mission Critical Division delivers turnkey concrete construction services for Mission Critical, Advanced Manufacturing, and Data Center facilities across the United States. Our teams execute a wide range of scopes, including foundations, slabs, shrinkage compensating slabs such as Ductilcrete®, equipment pads, below grade electrical encasements and thermal concrete, structural cast in place concrete, tilt walls, site concrete, and the high tolerance flatwork essential to mission critical environments.

EEO Statement
At Kent Companies, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Kent Companies does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices and personnel actions, including but not limited to hiring, recruiting, promotions, performance evaluations, termination, and compensation decisions.

The Company will strive to ensure that all employees and prospective employees will be treated equally in regard to recruitment, employment, promotions, demotions, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training, leaves of absence, and layoffs. The Company will further ensure that its management staff is aware of the Company’s commitment to this policy and each member understands their individual role in the process of administering this plan.

Kent Companies will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.