The posting
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.
