Senior Estimator

The Opportunity At Manthei Construction, we don't just build projects, we build communities, careers, and long-term partnerships. As a family-owned company rooted in Northern Michigan, we've built our reputation on delivering high-quality site development, excavation, underground utility, and hardscape solutions while staying true to the values that define us: Serving, Humble, Accountable, Resourceful, and Pro-Growth (S.H.A.R.P.). Our team is made up of individuals who take pride in their craft, embrace challenges, and are committed to leaving every project and every relationship better than we found it. This Senior Estimator role is a unique opportunity for a seasoned construction professional who thrives in both strategy and execution. You will play a critical role in shaping the future growth of our heavy construction division by identifying new opportunities, building strong industry relationships, and ensuring the financial success of each project from bid to close-out. Working in close partnership with our Field Superintendent, you'll serve as the financial lead on projects—owning estimating, contracts, billing, cost analysis, and project forecasting—while helping us continue to expand our footprint across Northern Michigan. If you're looking for a role with autonomy, influence, and the ability to make a measurable impact within a growing, values-driven organization, this is your opportunity to help build what's next with Manthei Construction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Business Development & Pipeline Management Relationship Management:

Actively develop and maintain long-term relationships with private developers, general contractors, and land-use engineers.

Strategic Sourcing:

Identify and track private-sector opportunities before they reach the public bid stage to secure first-look or negotiated contract advantages.

Pipeline Growth:

Build and maintain a rolling sales pipeline of potential work, providing regular updates on upcoming project leads in the Northern Michigan region.

Customer Relations:

Represent the company in early-stage project meetings to position us as the preferred partner for site development and utility needs.

Estimating & Pre-Construction Bid Development:

Responsible for pricing for new work and monitoring/investigating bid advertisements that match our scope of work.

Budgetary Support:

Prepare budgetary pricing for engineers and customers for future projects.

Project Hand-off:

Responsible for scheduling and leading the internal project hand-off meeting.

Permitting:

Responsible for obtaining all necessary permits (SESC, ROW, etc.) before work is started.

Strategy:

Collaborate with the Field Superintendent to develop plans and strategies to build projects prior to the start date.

Contract & Vendor Management Contract Administration:

Draft, issue, and manage all contract and subcontractor agreements and purchase orders.

Compliance:

Ensure all vendors and subcontractors provide required insurance and signed contracts before arriving on-site.

Submittals/Supply Chain:

Secure pricing for bulk materials and manage the technical submittal process for customer approval.

Financial Management & Project Admin Progress Billing:

Prepare and submit accurate monthly progress billings (G702/703) and lien waivers.

Change Order Management:

Identify, estimate, and negotiate all change orders; ensure documentation is signed before work begins.

Invoice Approval:

Review and approve all subcontractor and vendor invoices against the original budget and field progress.

Project Close-Out Financial Audit:

Conduct a post-mortem on every project, comparing estimated vs. actual costs to refine future bidding accuracy.

Close-Out Packages:

Compile and deliver final warranties, O&M manuals, and as-built drawings.

Qualifications & Desired Attributes Experience:

10+ years in heavy civil construction estimating, with a specific focus on earthwork and underground utility installation.

Network:

Proven track record of building relationships with private developers and industry stakeholders in the Michigan market.

Technical Skills:

Expert proficiency in digital takeoffs, estimating platforms and cost-coding software (experience with HeavyBid/HeavyJob preferred).

Communication:

Ability to represent the company professionally in negotiations with owners, developers, and engineers.

Collaboration:

Strong communication skills to facilitate internal hand-off meetings and maintain team relationships.

Mindset:

A proactive, business-minded approach to project success, taking end-to-end ownership of the project's financial health and client satisfaction - from the initial relationship and bid through to the final payment. Manthei Construction is proud to offer competitive and unique health benefits, paid time off, paid holidays, product discounts, profit-sharing, access to an on-site success coach, regular wage reviews, and much more! To learn more about us and why you should apply, visit www.mantheiconstruction.com today!