Purchasing Estimator / Pre-Construction Manager - Custom Homes

Job Title:

Purchasing Estimator /

Pre-Construction Manager Position Type:

Full-Time, In-Office Experience Level:

Mid-to-Senior Level (5-10+ years in residential construction) About the Role We are a thriving residential building company producing high-quality homes annually. We are seeking a sharp, numbers-driven Purchasing Estimator / Pre-Construction Manager to take full ownership of our front-end operations. In this role, you will be the gatekeeper of our project budgets. You aren't just clicking buttons to generate numbers; you will be analyzing blueprints, negotiating aggressively but fairly with suppliers and trades, and ensuring that every project is set up for financial success before a single shovel hits the ground. If you have a killer eye for detail, a strategic mindset for procurement, and love the art of negotiation, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities Material Take-Offs:

Perform accurate, detailed quantity take-offs from architectural and structural blueprints for all phases of residential construction (excavation through finishes).

Trade & Vendor Procurement:

Source, vet, and negotiate contracts with subcontractors and material suppliers. Ensure we are getting competitive pricing without sacrificing quality or schedule reliability.

Purchase Order Management:

Generate, issue, and track comprehensive Purchase Orders (POs) for trades and materials, ensuring clear scopes of work and locked-in pricing.

Budget Compliance & Variance Tracking:

Establish initial project budgets, review invoices against issued POs, and actively track variances to prevent budget creep.

Database & Cost Maintenance:

Maintain and update our master cost database, ensuring material pricing and labor rates reflect current market conditions.

Value Engineering:

Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency by suggesting alternative materials, methods, or structural adjustments without compromising design integrity.

Qualifications & Skills Experience:

Minimum 5-10 years of experience in residential construction estimating, purchasing, or project management.

Blueprint Literacy:

Advanced ability to read and interpret residential architectural blueprints, structural drawings, and engineering specifications.

Negotiation Skills:

Proven track record of successfully negotiating pricing, terms, and scopes of work with trade partners and vendors.

Tech-Savvy:

Proficiency with construction estimating software, Excel (advanced), and project management platforms ( Buildertrend, PlanSwift) or similar systems).

Financial Acumen:

Strong understanding of construction math, gross margins, and job costing/Work in Progress (WIP) fundamentals.

Attributes:

Highly organized, fiercely detail-oriented, assertive, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced office environment. What We Offer Competitive salary commensurate with experience ($65,000 - $90,000) Performance-based bonuses/incentives tied to budget compliance and margin retention Paid time off (PTO) and holidays A stable, professional, and collaborative office environment with room for professional growth

Pay:

$65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off

Work Location:

In person