The Commercial HVAC Estimator/Project Manager is a dual-functioning, high-impact role designed to drive profitability and ensure flawless execution across Flo-Rite Mechanical’s commercial portfolio. This position bridges the gap between pre-construction and final closeout by accurately quantifying mechanical project costs and actively steering project execution from award to completion. This specialist ensures that bids are competitively priced to win, and subsequent projects are managed meticulously to maintain target gross margins, uphold high technical standards, and deliver seamless client experiences.
Scope of Responsibilities:
- Cost Estimating: Review architectural drawings, mechanical blueprints, and specifications to perform comprehensive digital material, equipment, and labor takeoffs for commercial HVAC systems.
- Proposal Development & Bidding: Solicit and analyze vendor, supplier, and subcontractor quotes. Compile itemized, highly accurate cost estimates and author formal, professional bid proposals.
- Project Scheduling & Coordination: Establish project timelines, labor allocations, and material delivery schedules, coordinating closely with superintendents and dispatch to keep field execution on track.
- Financial Management & Budgeting: Monitor job costing data continuously throughout the project lifecycle. Manage change orders, progress billings, and purchase orders to actively mitigate margin fade.
- Client & Stakeholder Relations: Act as the primary point of contact for General Contractors, building owners, and facility managers, leading project progress meetings and facilitating submittal approval workflows.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
The Commercial HVAC Estimator/Project Manager will be held accountable to the following outcomes:
- Bid Accuracy & Win Rate: Achieving targeted booking volumes while maintaining bid-to-actual variance within a narrow ±5% margin threshold.
- Project Gross Margin Retention: Delivering projects at or above the estimated target gross profit margin established during the pre-construction phase.
- Schedule & Budget Performance: Successful completion of commercial mechanical projects on time and within the allocated labor-hour budget.
- Change Order Processing Time: Prompt identification, documentation, and secure approval of out-of-scope work within designated project cycle times.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with digital estimating software, takeoff platforms, Microsoft Excel, and project management tools. Rapidly leverage BuildOps software to log project data, track financials, and monitor field utilization.
- Methodology: Deep knowledge of commercial HVAC systems (RTUs, chillers, split systems, ductwork infrastructure), mechanical building codes, and advanced project costing principles.
· Education: Relevant accreditations, certifications, licenses, training, etc.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation capabilities, strong cross-functional coordination, and a highly structured approach to client communication, aligning directly with our TRACI core values.
Alignment with Core Values (TRACI):
- Teamwork: Partner transparently with service managers, purchasing personnel, and field superintendents to ensure seamless data handoffs from the estimating table to the jobsite.
- Respect: Value the practical inputs of field installers when calculating labor hour allocations and establishing operational project schedules.
- Accountability: Own the financial performance and structural outcomes of every project from initial bid numbers to final punch-list resolution.
- Communication: Proactively provide updates to leadership on margin health, job roadblocks, and pipeline status, while keeping general contractors clear on project milestones.
- Integrity: Deliver completely honest, defensible cost estimates and transparent pricing structures, ensuring all vendor interactions and change orders are handled ethically.
Compensation (Salary + Incentives):
- Incentive program is structured around a Gross Margin Split model.
- Structure is designed to reward both bid accuracy and operational execution