Lead Estimator
Reports To: General Manager
Location: Saskatoon office (Grassword, SK)
Schedule: Monday to Friday, with occasional site visits as required
Employment Type: Full-time, permanent
Company Overview:
Flatstone Construction is an English River First Nation–owned general contractor providing end-to-end infrastructure and construction services across Northern Saskatchewan. With over three decades of experience serving major mining operators, we combine proven technical capability with a strong culture of safety, quality, and reliability. Flatstone is built on long-term partnerships, creating opportunities for Indigenous workers and their communities while delivering consistent, high-performance results in demanding environments.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the General Manager, the Lead Estimator plays a key role in securing new work for Flatstone by preparing accurate, competitive cost estimates for mechanical scopes on tenders, budgets, and change orders. This role combines strong technical estimating skills with close collaboration across Operations, Procurement, and Project Management to ensure mechanical bids reflect true project scope and cost.
The Lead Estimator reviews mechanical drawings, specifications, and contract documents to develop detailed quantity takeoffs and pricing, while building strong relationships with mechanical subcontractors and suppliers. This is a detail-oriented, deadline-driven role suited to someone who is comfortable balancing multiple bids at once and confident presenting cost information clearly to internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
Estimating & Bid Presentation
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for tenders, budgets, and change orders across mechanical scopes, including piping, equipment, and mechanical systems installations
- Review mechanical drawings, specifications, and contract documents to develop accurate quantity takeoffs
- Solicit, evaluate, and compile subcontractor and supplier quotations to ensure competitive, complete mechanical bid packages
- Prepare and submit tender documents in accordance with client requirements and deadlines
- Identify project risks, scope gaps, and clarifications required prior to bid submission
Cost Analysis & Documentation
- Develop and maintain standardized cost databases, unit pricing, and historical cost benchmarks for mechanical scopes
- Track labour, material, and equipment costs to inform accurate, up-to-date estimates
- Prepare cost comparisons and value engineering options to support competitive pricing
- Maintain organized, audit-ready estimating files and documentation for all bids submitted
- Analyze market trends in mechanical labour rates and material costs across Saskatchewan and the broader region
Vendor & Subcontractor Coordinator
- Support prequalification of new mechanical subcontractors and suppliers
- Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to strengthen bid competitiveness
- Coordinate with suppliers to confirm equipment and material availability and lead times during the bidding process
Project Handover & Business Partnership
- Support smooth handover of awarded mechanical projects to Project Managers and site teams, including budget breakdowns and scope clarifications
- Provide input on project cost coding and budget structures to enable accurate job costing
- Assist Operations with cost-related questions during project execution, including change order pricing
- Participate in post-project reviews to compare estimated vs. actual costs and refine future estimating practices
Qualifications:
- Relevant industry experience in mechanical construction, engineering, or quantity surveying; a diploma or degree in a related field is an asset but not required
- 3-5+ years of estimating experience with a focus on mechanical scopes in construction, mining, or industrial sectors
- Strong understanding of mechanical systems, piping, equipment, and installation methods
- Proficiency with estimating software (e.g., HCSS, Sage Estimating) and Microsoft Excel
- Experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and specifications
- Experience working on Indigenous-owned or northern Saskatchewan construction projects is an asset
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with high attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple bids and competing deadlines simultaneously
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for internal and external stakeholders
- Sound judgment in assessing risk, scope, and pricing
- Collaborative approach, able to work closely with Operations, Project Managers, and leadership
- Self-starter comfortable working with incomplete information under tight timelines
What We Offer
Flatstone offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support our employees and their families:
- Golden Days: additional paid days off on set dates throughout the year, on top of vacation entitlement
- Pension matching: employer-matched contributions to help you build long-term financial security
- Employer-paid benefits: comprehensive health, dental, and extended health coverage
- Professional development: support for CPA dues and ongoing learning opportunities
- Meaningful work: contribute to projects that create lasting opportunities for Indigenous workers and communities across Saskatchewan
- Stability and growth: join and established, First Nation-owned organization with three decades of industry presence and an active project pipeline
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Please Apply at the Des Nedhe website at https://desnedhe.com/careers/ by
September 21, 2026.
