Millwork Estimating Manager

Micro-Cap Solutions is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a rapidly growing architectural millwork and commercial interiors company seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to build and lead its Estimating department. Our client operates in a fast-paced, custom manufacturing environment and continues to expand its project portfolio and internal capabilities. The organization is investing in stronger preconstruction leadership to improve estimating accuracy, establish scalable processes, and support profitable long-term growth. The Role This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for overseeing the estimating process from initial bid qualification through proposal submission and project handoff. The Estimating Manager will lead and develop the Estimating team, establish department standards, improve pricing and takeoff processes, and ensure proposals are complete, competitive, and aligned with company profitability objectives. This individual will work closely with Business Development, Engineering, Project Management, Purchasing, and Operations to evaluate opportunities, identify risks, develop bid strategies, and ensure awarded projects transition successfully into execution. This role is ideal for an experienced architectural millwork or commercial interiors estimator who enjoys leading people, improving systems, and remaining directly involved in complex estimates. Key Responsibilities Department Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop the Estimating team Establish department priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and one-on-one meetings Balance workloads and allocate estimating resources to meet proposal deadlines Build a culture focused on urgency, ownership, quality, and continuous improvement Estimating & Preconstruction Oversee estimating activities from bid qualification through proposal submission Review plans, specifications, bid documents, and project requirements Ensure estimates accurately capture labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, freight, and installation requirements Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with profitability Review complex estimates and serve as the final approval point before submission Support conceptual budgets, hard bids, negotiated proposals, and design-build estimates Process Improvement & Accountability Develop and maintain estimating standards, SOPs, pricing databases, and review procedures Standardize takeoff methods, estimating templates, and proposal formats Monitor estimating workflows, bid schedules, deadlines, and departmental priorities Identify scope gaps, risks, and pricing challenges before proposals are submitted Build scalable systems that improve estimating efficiency, consistency, and accuracy Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Business Development to evaluate project opportunities and develop bid strategies Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, Project Management, and Operations to ensure estimates reflect project scope and execution requirements Coordinate thorough project handoffs following successful awards Support value-engineering efforts and alternative design solutions that improve project competitiveness Technical Leadership Serve as the department’s technical resource for estimating methods, architectural millwork construction, fabrication processes, and installation requirements Review complex projects and provide guidance to estimating team members Maintain current knowledge of material pricing, labor trends, market conditions, and supplier capabilities Drive consistency in estimating methodologies and best practices Experience & Profile 7+ years of estimating experience within architectural millwork, commercial interiors, cabinetry, woodworking, fixtures, construction, or a related industry Previous leadership experience managing an estimating, preconstruction, or technical team Strong understanding of construction documents, shop drawings, fabrication processes, material procurement, and project execution Experience preparing conceptual budgets, hard bids, negotiated proposals, and design-build estimates Demonstrated success developing estimating standards, pricing strategies, and departmental workflows Architectural millwork or commercial interiors experience strongly preferred Experience with estimating software, ERP/MRP platforms, Microsoft Excel, and Bluebeam or similar takeoff software Experience with Innergy is highly desirable Strong leadership, communication, analytical, organizational, and negotiation skills Ability to balance strategic department leadership with hands-on estimating responsibilities Work Environment Oakdale, Pennsylvania, or remote for qualified candidates Occasional travel, up to approximately once per month, may be required for remote employees Pay: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) matching Health insurance Paid time off Work Location: Remote