Job Description
Role Purpose
We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor with a strong background in the water industry to support both pre-construction and live project commercial management.
This role will work closely with the Estimator to price and build tenders, develop project programmes, and produce structured material buy sheets. The successful candidate will also play a key role in our transition from bespoke databases and spreadsheet-based estimating systems to Microsoft Business Central.
Due to the limited detail often contained within water industry design specifications, significant sector experience and commercial judgement are essential to build accurate, risk-aware pricing and protect margin.
Key Responsibilities
1. Pre-Construction & Tender Support
* Support the Estimator in preparing competitive and commercially robust tenders
* Interpret performance-based and low-detail design specifications
* Assist in building detailed cost breakdown structures
* Identify commercial risks, assumptions, and exclusions
* Contribute to value engineering and pricing strategy discussions
* Align cost build-ups with proposed project programmes
2. Commercial Management
* Manage project costs from award through to final account
* Monitor performance against budget and programme
* Produce cost value reconciliations (CVRs)
* Manage subcontract procurement and account settlement
* Administer contracts in line with NEC (or applicable form of contract)
* Manage variations, compensation events, and change control
3. Programme & Material Planning
* Assist in building tender and delivery programmes
* Develop material take-offs and structured buy sheets
* Align procurement schedules with programme phasing
* Support supply chain engagement and procurement strategy
4. Systems & Process Development
* Support the migration of commercial and estimating data into Microsoft Business Central
* Assist in establishing:
* Cost codes
* Cost breakdown structures (CBS/WBS)
* Material and resource libraries
* Ensure alignment between estimate, procurement, live cost tracking, and reporting
* Help embed consistent commercial processes within the new ERP system
5. Risk & Margin Protection
* Apply industry experience to identify construction and operational risks
* Ensure appropriate allowances are incorporated into pricing
* Support commercial reviews and margin analysis
* Contribute to improving estimating and cost capture accuracy over time
Essential Experience
* Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor within the water industry
* Experience pricing and managing projects with limited design detail
* Strong understanding of civils and/or MEICA elements of water infrastructure projects
* Experience administering NEC contracts
* Strong commercial and contractual awareness
Desirable Experience
* Experience supporting both pre-construction and live delivery phases
* Exposure to ERP systems (ideally Microsoft Business Central or similar)
* Experience transitioning from spreadsheet-based systems to structured commercial platforms
* Programme-building experience (Primavera, MS Project or similar)
Key Competencies
* Strong commercial judgement
* Ability to interpret incomplete specifications and identify risk
* Structured and analytical mindset
* High attention to detail
* Strong Excel capability
* Ability to work collaboratively with estimating, operations, and procurement teams
* Professional discretion and confidentiality
Critical Success Factors
The successful candidate will:
* Strengthen pricing accuracy and commercial control
* Improve risk identification and margin protection
* Support a smooth transition to Microsoft Business Central
* Enhance integration between estimating, procurement, and live cost reporting
* Contribute to improved financial visibility and project performance