Principal Estimator

Murphy is recruiting for a Principal Estimator to work with the Transportation team across various projects, based out of the Golborne office - WA3 3JD

With a proud history dating back to the 1960s, we provide practical, innovative results, working around the individual needs of our customers. Rail renewals to enhancements, bridge building, highways, ports and emergency earthworks – our award-winning team has extensive experience and has been involved in projects that have changed the face of transport networks in three countries.

We dedicate ourselves to being ‘better engineered’ to ensure our transportation infrastructure solutions meet and exceed customer requirements, delivering value for money through innovation.

A day in the life of a Murphy Principal Estimator

• With support from the wider function be the primary lead on a large-scale programme of works
• Drive best practice throughout the function and into the wider bid structure
• Support junior team members with their professional development
• Establish and promote best practice in health, safety and environmental matters in conjunction with the SHEQ department.
• Attend project start-up meetings and make site visits.
• Produce enquiry schedules for scope of works & packages required from the tender documentation, drawings and specifications issued.
• Identify tender deliverables required from the Project Designers.
• Evaluate returned quotations from suppliers and where necessary enters into correspondence with suppliers to bring quotations in line with the project specification requirements.
• Prepares Bill of Quantities to appropriate methods of measurement.
• Prepares bottom-up estimate using industry/ company norms on an estimating system (Candy)
• Input to project risk register and attends a project risk meetings
• Attend tender price settlement meetings to present and explain estimate and its basis.
• Prepare commercial submission documentation.
• Attend Tender Handover meetings and prepare tender handover documentation.
• Facilitate and manage the successful development of solutions to problems within estimates.
• As necessary provide support and respond to tender queries made by project team personnel.
• Attend meetings with clients to plan, promote and negotiate proposals. Record all changes to the tender price required following negotiations.
• Review and check contract documentation to ensure it accurately reflects the offer made.
• Helps develop the company estimating database.
• Helps generate effective feedback on estimates and actual costs with the project teams

Still interested, does this sound like you?

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, in a related discipline or experience in field
• Previous experience as a primary lead on a large-scale programme of works for a Tier 1 contractor
• Chartered status preferable
• Skilled in apprising management and client for the quality and risks of conceptual and detailed estimates
• Experienced in managing others, including Estimators
• Experienced in bottom up pricing
• Extensive variety in types of work priced
• Preference for good knowledge of Candy estimating software

What’s in it for you?

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays with the option to buy an additional 2 days holiday each year, holidays increase with length of service
• Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review
• Above market rate contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance, health screening and enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and a maternity returners bonus
• Extra weeks holiday for all employees getting married and a wedding bonus
• Subsidised canteen facilities in core locations
• Dedicated and continued investment in your professional development
• Other Murphy benefits include retail discounts and cashback, discounted gym memberships, cycle to work scheme etc

About Murphy

Murphy is formally recognised as a sector leading employer, Platinum Investors In People accredited along with reported operating profit up 57% on prior year. At Murphy, we are incredibly proud of our diverse workforce. Not only do our people represent over 60 different nationalities, but they also represent a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. With a forward order book of £5.4bn and £23m Invested in environmentally friendly plant in 2024 there really is #MoretoMurphy

If you are unable to apply via the usual process, please call

Lorna Rhodes on View phone number on uk.workus.org to discuss in more detail.

Murphy is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK