Senior Estimator

Lead the joinery estimation function and manage the preparation, review and submission of accurate, commercially competitive estimates for bespoke joinery, furniture and interior fit-out projects.

The role reviews tender documentation, develops detailed joinery cost estimates, manages estimator workload, obtains competitive supply-chain pricing, identifies commercial and technical risks, and supports the Estimating Manager through tender adjudication and final bid submission.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Tender Review & Planning

• Review tender enquiries, drawings, specifications, bills of quantities (BOQs), schedules and client requirements.
• Assess the completeness of tender information and identify missing information, discrepancies and areas requiring clarification.
• Prepare tender briefs and establish the joinery estimating strategy.
• Coordinate workload and tender priorities among Joinery Estimators.
• Participate in pre-tender meetings, site visits and internal tender kick-off meetings.
• Review requests for information (RFIs) and technical or commercial clarifications before submission to the client or consultant.

Joinery Estimation

• Prepare and review detailed estimates for joinery items.
• Prepare detailed material, labor, machinery and subcontract cost build-ups.
• Establish appropriate production labor hours based on joinery complexity and manufacturing methodology.
• Evaluate wastage, yields, productivity, installation requirements, logistics and programme constraints.
• Benchmark pricing against historical project data and current market rates.

Supply Chain & Procurement Coordination

• Prepare subcontractor and supplier enquiry packages.
• Coordinate with the estimation administration team for RFQ issuance and quotation follow-up.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations for technical and commercial compliance.
• Prepare and review quotation comparison sheets.
• Identify alternative suppliers, subcontractors, materials and construction methods to improve competitiveness.
• Maintain awareness of current market pricing.

Tender Review & Commercial Control

• Review estimates prepared by Joinery Estimators before internal adjudication.
• Verify quantities, rates, productivity assumptions, supplier quotations and commercial risks.
• Identify exclusions, qualifications, provisional sums, assumptions and commercial risks.
• Prepare tender cost summaries and support the Estimating Manager during internal and senior-management adjudication.
• Recommend pricing adjustments based on project complexity, risk, programme and market conditions.
• Support value engineering and alternative proposals without compromising design intent or required quality.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor Joinery Estimators and support their technical development.
• Allocate joinery tenders and packages based on workload, complexity and estimator capability.
• Conduct peer reviews and ensure estimates meet departmental procedures before adjudication.
• Develop and maintain standard joinery rates, productivity norms and cost build-up templates.
• Share lessons learned and historical cost information across the Estimation Team.
• Support the training of junior estimators in drawing interpretation, quantity take-off, joinery construction and manufacturing techniques.

Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Fit-out Estimation, Commercial, Procurement, Design, Production and Project teams.
• Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors regarding technical and commercial requirements.
• Support post-tender clarification and negotiation meetings when required.
• Participate in successful tender handover to Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Joinery Production teams.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in joinery estimation.
• Minimum 6–8 years of direct joinery estimation experience.
• Minimum 2–3 years in a senior or lead capacity.
• Strong UAE/GCC market experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Joinery Technology or a related discipline.
• Proven experience estimating high-end hospitality, luxury retail, food and beverage (F&B), residential and commercial joinery packages.
• Experience with a joinery contractor operating an in-house manufacturing facility is highly desirable.