Senior Estimator at Lycopodium

Job Description

The Senior Estimator will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing and interpreting contractual documents to develop detailed, comprehensive cost estimates for various large, complex projects. The Senior Estimator is more specifically responsible for the accurate, effective, and timely compilation of estimating functions, as they relate to Mining and Minerals project execution, mainly for capital and operating expenditures of the project(s).

The tasks you'll perform (not exhaustive):

• Preparation of all parts of an estimate under limited direction.
• Estimating and tendering complete large complex projects as a Senior Estimator following Estimating and Tendering Procedures. Estimates may be required for concept studies, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies and projects. For feasibility studies, the detailed capital cost estimate will be compiled to a standard that can be adopted as a capital budget should a project be developed.
• Directing the work of more junior staff who may be assisting with the estimating process (eg. obtaining prices, doing quantity takeoffs etc.) or completing these tasks themselves if no junior staff is assigned to a given study/project.
• Preparing preliminary estimates upon the request of project managers.
• Preparing estimates for contemplated change orders for on-going projects.
• Preparing an estimating plan for specific project execution.
• Preparing basis of estimate reports as stand-alone reports or as part of the feasibility study report deliverable and clearly communicating the estimate, basis of estimate and supporting information to stakeholders.
• Estimating the time, materials, or equipment that are required to complete a task or project.
• Support team members with re-forecasting and estimating activities to complete project cost forecasts (trending).
• Gain knowledge and become fluent with company estimating software tool as required to produce the estimates and to maintain an estimating database to a consistently high standard.
• Participate in proposal/study/project meetings as applicable.
• Possessing complementary skills (project controls, capital cost control) such as the following and assisting the Project Controls team with these activities on an as-needed basis:
• Assist with the conversion of capital cost estimates to capital control budgets.
• Monitor project performance including costs, progress against schedule and internal reviews to provide a transparent assessment of critical project performances.
• Evaluate project progress to ensure that it is meeting budgetary and deadline objectives. Recognise progress concerns and report immediately to the Project Managers to ensure projects are completed within both budgetary and schedule constraints.
• Collate project cost reporting requirements in accordance with Company and Client standards to a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
• Prepare project specific reports including progress, financial and resource information, including actual costs, earned value and forecasts.
• Coordinate inputs from various team members including engineering, procurement, contracts, project and construction in order to establish detailed cost, man-hour controls and schedule.
• Liaise with and provide professional support to Project Services team in the preparation of Project deliverables.
• Assist with the entry and administration of data into the project controls software system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Tertiary Qualification in Quantity Surveying
• 10+ years’ proven experience in an EPCM environment, including tender preparation
• Knowledge of Contract conditions
• South African Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Solid technical aptitude, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret study level drawings, equipment lists and other data in order to prepare capital cost estimates.
• Ability to establish capital cost estimates from first principles based upon previous experience and personal knowledge in the mineral processing industry with minimal assistance from other senior staff.
• Ability to forecast market trends for direct and indirect costs.
• Demonstrate understanding and awareness of project implementation, constructability, OH&S, environmental, community and industrial relations issues.
• Extremely well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Build and sustain positive relationships with all stakeholders, including Clients, Vendors and co-workers.
• Display the core values and ethos of the business.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision whilst consistently producing a high quality of deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve consistently high standards within both budgetary and schedule constraints.
• Proficient understanding of business acumen with the ability to adapt to different business environments.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment.
• Demonstrate a strict practice of confidentiality, personal responsibility and discretion.