Sales Estimator

Who We Are:

For over 117 years and across four generations of family ownership, Brooks Construction Company, Inc. has stood for Family , Integrity , Respect , Safety , Teamwork , and Quality in the civil construction industry. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with over 270 employees, Brooks Construction provides asphalt, concrete, earthwork, and pipe operations across northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio using best practices and innovative techniques to give our customers a quality product.

Job Summary

The Sales Estimator is responsible for identifying and pursuing public and private heavy highway construction opportunities and preparing accurate, competitive estimates that support profitable growth. This position reviews plans, specifications, and other bid documents; completes quantity takeoffs; develops labor, equipment, material, and subcontractor pricing; and prepares complete bid submissions. The Sales Estimator also develops and maintains strong relationships with customers, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers and works closely with operations to ensure awarded work is clearly and effectively transitioned to the project team.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

- Actively identifies, evaluates, and tracks public and private bid opportunities that align with the company's capabilities, geographic market, and strategic goals.

- Reviews plans, specifications, proposals, owner requirements, and other bidding documents to determine project scope and requirements.

- Performs detailed quantity takeoffs and develops complete estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project costs.

- Analyzes project phasing, sequencing, site logistics, constructability, schedule impacts, and potential risks that may affect pricing or performance.

- Solicits, reviews, compares, and levels subcontractor, vendor, and supplier quotes; confirms scope inclusions, exclusions, and bid coverage.

- Attends pre-bid meetings and conducts site visits as needed to evaluate site conditions, clarify scope, and identify project-specific risks or opportunities.

- Prepares clear, complete, and competitive unit-price and lump-sum bids, proposals, cost breakdowns, clarifications, assumptions, and supporting documentation.

- Reviews bid changes and incorporates all applicable revisions into estimates and final bid submissions.

- Participates in internal bid review and final pricing meetings and clearly explains estimate assumptions, risks, production methods, and pricing strategy.

- Submits bids in accordance with owner and agency requirements and within established deadlines; follows up with customers and owners as appropriate.

- Maintains accurate estimating files and supporting documentation, including takeoffs, quotes, pricing information, correspondence, assumptions, and bid results.

- Builds and maintains positive relationships with existing and prospective customers, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.

- Represents the company at industry associations, networking events, business functions, and customer meetings, including occasional events outside normal business hours.

- Participates in project handoff meetings for awarded work and communicates scope, pricing assumptions, production expectations, risks, subcontractor coverage, and other relevant bid information to operations and project teams.

- Assists with tracking bid results, award rates, market trends, historical costs, and estimating performance to support continuous improvement and profitable backlog development.

Other Duties/Responsibilities

- Assists others in the department as needed.

- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

- Thorough knowledge of heavy highway and civil construction methods, materials, equipment, production rates, and project sequencing.

- Ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction plans, specifications, bid documents, proposals, and state, county, and municipal requirements.

- Strong estimating, quantity takeoff, cost analysis, pricing, mathematical, and spreadsheet skills.

- Ability to identify scope gaps, pricing risks, constructability concerns, and potential cost-saving or value-engineering opportunities.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, and experience with construction estimating and on-screen takeoff software.

- Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and priorities within tight deadlines.

- High degree of accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail.

- Strong analytical, decision-making, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent interpersonal, customer-service, verbal, and written communication skills.

- Ability to clearly present and explain estimates, assumptions, and recommendations to leadership, customers, and operations personnel.

- Ability to develop and maintain productive customer, peer, subcontractor, vendor, and supplier partnerships.

- Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing as a collaborative team member.

- Proven dependability, adaptability, professionalism, and ability to work at an energetic pace with frequent interruptions.

- High ethical standards; fair, honest, and straightforward in dealing with others.

- Uses appropriate discretion and maintains confidentiality of company, customer, and bid information.

- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites, customer locations, and business functions as needed.

Education and Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Business, Mathematics, or a related field preferred.

- Three (3) or more years of construction estimating, sales, or related heavy highway/civil construction experience preferred. An equivalent combination of education, field experience, technical training, and related experience may be considered.

- Experience estimating roadway, asphalt, concrete, earthwork, utility, site-development, or other heavy civil construction work preferred.

- Experience working with public agencies, municipalities, private owners, and applicable bid requirements preferred.

Physical Requirements

- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer or other electronic device.

- Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb stairs, and navigate active construction sites.

- Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment when visiting plants, yards, or construction sites.

Working Environment

- Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with regular interaction with internal and external customers.

- Occasional travel to construction sites, plants, customer locations, pre-bid meetings, and industry events is required.

- Job-site visits may involve uneven terrain, moving equipment, traffic, dust, noise, mud, and exposure to rain, snow, heat, cold, and other outdoor conditions.

- Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to meet bid deadlines or attend business and industry functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

- This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance or task coordination to estimating support staff, interns, or others assisting with takeoffs and bid preparation.

How to Apply:

Online: Visit www.brooks1st.com/jobs to access our online Employment Application by clicking "View Open Positions and Apply Now!". Please include a resume if you have one.

Why Join Brooks Construction?

At Brooks Construction Company, we believe in building more than roads-we build careers, communities, and a legacy of excellence. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with over 270 employees, Brooks Construction provides asphalt, concrete, earthwork, and pipe operations across northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio using best practices and innovative techniques to give our customers a quality product.

Our team-based approach ensures that every employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a supportive environment that values your contributions and fosters professional growth. ​

What We Offer – Non-Union Positions:

At Brooks Construction Company, we are proud to provide our employees with exceptional benefits that support their health, financial security, and overall well-being.​

Competitive Compensation :

- Competitive pay

- Opportunities for performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive Benefits :

- Health Insurance - We pay 100% of the premium for you, your spouse and your eligible children

- Prescription Drug Plans, Dental and Vision Insurance

- Health Savings Accounts – We make contributions on your behalf

- Flexible Spending Accounts

- Paid Vacation and Holidays

- Employee Assistance Program

- Telehealth Services

Retirement & Financial Security:

- 401K Plan – We contribute a portion of your 401K for you

- Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance

Career Development :

- Access to training programs and advancement opportunities

- Tuition reimbursement program​

Join us in shaping the infrastructure of northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio. Be part of a team where ordinary people do things extraordinarily well. ​