Lead Estimator Air Side HVAC Equipment

Earth City MO Full-time In-Office

Employment Type: Full-time in-office Monday through Friday

Location: St Louis MO

Compensation: $60000$85000 base Plus bonuses depending on experience

Team: Lead role directs a team of estimators and manages the bid board

Experience: 35 years estimating air-side HVAC equipment

Competitive base salary $60000$85000 PLUS Bonuses (base rate depending on experience)

Full benefits package Medical Dental Vision PTO

Structured onboarding with training at 34 manufacturer facilities (all travel covered)

Work with current Established book of contractor business youre not building from zero

Hands-on transition period with the outgoing lead a genuine training handoff not a thrown-into-the-deep-end situation

This is a lead estimator seat opening due to a planned retirement which means something rare: a real structured handoff from the person who built the role. Youll have time to learn the accounts the rhythm and the quirks of the bid board before youre running it solo. The customers are established the contractor relationships are in place and the team around you is already functioning. Youre stepping into something that works with the chance to make it yours.

The work itself is air-side HVAC equipment estimating VAV boxes fan terminals fire dampers louvers heaters for an established manufacturers rep serving the St. Louis metro market. Youll own the bid board which means pricing your own projects and directing three other estimators: assigning bids tracking deadlines and making sure nothing slips. The pace is steady roughly 25 bids a week across the team not a sweatshop but a role that rewards people who stay organized and keep others accountable.

If youre detail-obsessed about specs and pricing and also comfortable telling your teammates whats on their plate for the day this is exactly the role built for you. The position is fully in-office in St Louis MO five days a week.

Estimating & Bid Management

Prepare accurate cost estimates pricing and proposals for air-side HVAC equipment on commercial projects

Read and interpret plans specifications and addenda to produce complete accurate quotations

Manage the bid board assign approximately 25 bids per week across a team of four estimators

Track deadlines and follow up with the estimating team to ensure on-time submittal of every bid

Document and organize project files to maintain a complete accurate record of all bids and proposals

Customer & Technical Support

Build and maintain relationships with contractor engineering and architectural customers

Provide technical guidance on product capabilities system design and equipment selection

Prepare submittals release orders and track orders through to delivery for customers

Communicate shipping information expedite when needed and manage warranty or damage claims as required

Address customer questions and concerns quickly and professionally

Team Leadership

Direct day-to-day workflow for a team of three estimators assigning projects and managing throughput

Hold the team accountable to deadlines without micromanaging the technical work

Support onboarding and development of junior estimators as needed

Required

35 years of estimating experience specifically in air-side HVAC equipment VAV boxes fan terminals fire dampers louvers heaters or similar air distribution products

Background from a manufacturers rep mechanical contractor or HVAC distributor all three are strong fits

Ability to read and interpret commercial construction plans specs and addenda

Comfortable directing others and managing deadlines across a small team

Highly organized detail-oriented and self-motivated

Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences

Must reside within approximately 30 minutes of St Louis MO this is a fully in-office role

Preferred

Associate or Bachelors degree in engineering technology construction management or a related field

Experience with Bluebeam Revu or similar takeoff software

Familiarity with manufacturer pricing programs (note: these are learned on the job not a screen-out)

A strong fit for air-side HVAC estimators who are ready to step into a lead role and run a bid board not just fill one

Ideal for someone whos detail-obsessed about specs and pricing AND comfortable directing people both matter equally here

Open to candidates from manufacturers reps mechanical contractors or distributors with the right equipment background

A genuine leadership opportunity with an established team established accounts and a structured transition from the outgoing lead

Not the right fit for construction structural or piping estimators this role is specific to air-side equipment and air distribution products

Competitive base salary $60000$85000 PLUS Bonuses (base rate depending on experience)

Full benefits package Medical Dental Vision PTO AND More

Competitive base salary $60000$85000 PLUS Bonuses (base rate depending on experience)

Full benefits package Medical Dental Vision PTO AND More