About Lancaster Group

Founded in 1955, Lancaster Group Inc. is a second-generation, family-owned, multi-trade construction company based in Hamilton, Ontario.

With integrated capabilities across Sheet Metal/HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical, Lancaster provides clients with the advantages of working with an experienced multi-trade contractor capable of supporting complex commercial, institutional and industrial projects.

As Lancaster continues to grow, we are looking for strong leaders who can help us strengthen our people, processes and performance while maintaining the reputation and relationships we have built over more than 70 years.

We are currently seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead and develop our estimating function across our multi-trade business.

The Opportunity

The Estimating Manager is a key leadership position responsible for the overall performance, consistency and development of Lancaster Group’s estimating department.

This individual will provide leadership to our estimating team while maintaining visibility across opportunities involving Sheet Metal/HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical and combined multi-trade scopes.

This is not simply a Senior Estimator position.

We are looking for a leader who understands construction estimating, knows how to build and manage a high-performing team, and can create the structure and accountability required to consistently produce accurate, competitive and profitable estimates.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, operations, project management, business development, purchasing and field teams to ensure Lancaster is pursuing the right opportunities, managing estimating resources effectively and successfully transitioning awarded projects into operations.

Key ResponsibilitiesEstimating Leadership & Team Development

- Lead, mentor and develop Lancaster’s estimating team across multiple trade disciplines.
- Establish clear expectations, priorities and accountability for estimating performance.
- Allocate estimating resources based on workload, project complexity, trade requirements and bid deadlines.
- Review estimating capacity and identify resource requirements as Lancaster’s business grows.
- Support the recruitment, onboarding, training and development of estimators.
- Develop the technical and leadership capabilities of the estimating team.
- Foster collaboration and information sharing between Sheet Metal/HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical estimators.
- Build a culture of accuracy, ownership, continuous improvement and accountability.

Estimating & Tender Management

- Oversee the preparation and submission of estimates, tenders, quotations, budgets and proposals.
- Review drawings, specifications, addenda and tender requirements for complex opportunities.
- Provide senior-level review and oversight of labour, material, equipment, subcontractor and supplier pricing.
- Review assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, risks and opportunities before bid submission.
- Ensure estimates are complete, competitive and aligned with Lancaster’s financial and operational expectations.




- Lead or participate in final bid reviews and go/no-go discussions with senior leadership.
- Provide direct estimating support on complex, strategic or multi-trade opportunities when required.
- Ensure tender deadlines and submission requirements are consistently met.

Multi-Trade Coordination

- Identify opportunities where Lancaster’s combined trade capabilities provide a competitive advantage.
- Coordinate estimating strategies across Sheet Metal/HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical scopes.
- Ensure individual trade estimates are properly coordinated when Lancaster is pursuing bundled or multi-trade projects.
- Identify scope gaps, overlaps, coordination risks and potential efficiencies between divisions.
- Promote a One Lancaster approach to estimating and project pursuit rather than operating individual trades in isolation.
- Work with divisional and operational leaders to ensure estimating strategies reflect Lancaster’s capabilities and capacity.

Preconstruction & Project Handover

- Support conceptual estimating, budgeting, design-build and design-assist opportunities.
- Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, tender interviews and client meetings as required.
- Work closely with operations and project management during the estimating process to validate execution strategies, schedules and project risks.
- Lead effective turnover of awarded projects from estimating to project management and operations.
- Ensure assumptions, pricing strategies, risks, opportunities, subcontractor quotations and project commitments are clearly communicated during handover.
- Participate in post-project reviews to compare estimated versus actual performance and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.

Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement

- Develop and maintain consistent estimating standards, processes and best practices across Lancaster.
- Improve estimating templates, workflows, historical cost information and reporting.
- Establish appropriate review and approval processes based on project value, complexity and risk.
- Maintain organized and reliable estimating documentation.
- Track estimating activity, bid results, hit rates and other meaningful performance indicators.
- Analyze wins and losses to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Use historical project performance to continuously improve estimating accuracy.
- Identify technology and process improvements that increase estimating efficiency and quality.

Vendor, Subcontractor & Market Relationships

- Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, general contractors, consultants and industry partners.
- Support the development of competitive and reliable vendor and subcontractor networks.
- Monitor market conditions, labour trends,



material pricing and other factors affecting construction costs.
- Assist with strategic procurement and pricing discussions when required.

What We’re Looking For

- Significant progressive experience in construction estimating, ideally within the mechanical, electrical, HVAC, sheet metal, plumbing or broader ICI construction industry.
- Previous experience leading, supervising or mentoring estimators.
- Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, tender documents and contracts.
- Demonstrated ability to review and challenge estimates rather than simply compile pricing.
- Strong knowledge of labour, material, equipment and subcontractor costing.
- Experience with commercial, institutional and/or industrial construction.
- Multi-trade or MEP construction experience is a strong asset.
- Strong commercial judgment and understanding of project risk.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing estimating priorities.
- Strong leadership, coaching and team-development skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Comfortable working collaboratively with senior leadership, operations, project management and field teams.
- Proficiency with construction estimating software and Microsoft Office applications.
- Valid driver’s licence and ability to attend project sites and meetings as required.

The Person We’re Looking For

Technical estimating experience is important, but leadership is what will distinguish the right candidate for this position.

You may be a strong Senior Estimator ready to take the next step or an experienced Estimating Manager looking for an opportunity to have a greater impact.

You are someone who:

- Sets high standards and holds yourself and others accountable.
- Can coach experienced estimators while developing emerging talent.
- Is comfortable challenging assumptions and asking difficult questions before a bid leaves the building.
- Understands that winning work is only successful when it can also be executed profitably.
- Thinks beyond individual trade silos and sees the value of a coordinated multi-trade approach.
- Builds strong relationships with operations and project management.
- Is organized, dependable and comfortable making decisions.
- Wants to improve systems rather than simply work within existing ones.
- Takes ownership of results and follows through on commitments.

Compensation & Benefits

- Salary: $110,000–$130,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Paid vacation.
- Company-supported professional development.
- Eligibility to participate in Lancaster Group’s performance bonus program after one year of employment.
- Long-term growth and leadership opportunity within an established multi-trade construction company.

Pay: $100,000.00-$130,000.00 per year

Advantages:

- Extended health care
- On-site parking

Experience:

- Leadership: 3 years (required)
- progressive construction estimating: 8 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Estimating Manager (Canada)
🏢 Lancaster Group
📍 Canada