Mgr, Estimating - CIG

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain.

Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit  to learn more.

Job Summary:

The Estimating Manager - Critical Infrastructure Group (CIG) is responsible for managing all day-to-day estimating operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality material takeoffs for critical infrastructure projects nationwide. This role oversees the performance, development, and workload distribution. The Estimating Manager partners closely with regional leadership, sales teams, and Pre-Bid teams to drive consistent estimating practices, support strategic bid pursuits, and advance design-build engagement efforts.

The position ensures that estimating processes, material recommendations, and quantity takeoffs align with organizational standards and comply with project-specific requirements.

• Oversee daily estimating operations for all project types and complexity levels.
• Ensures accurate, consistent, and timely material quantity takeoffs across the regional estimating team.
• Assigns and monitors project workloads, balancing capacity across teams and regions.
• Manages work calendar.
• Reviews complex and high-visibility takeoffs submitted by senior-level estimators for accuracy and completeness.

• Ensure estimators interpret drawings, specifications, and bid documents according to standards.
• Implements quality control processes to validate takeoff accuracy and reduce risk.
• Engages on complex design build projects to provide technical direction on material selection, constructability considerations, and alternative solutions.

• Guides teams on design build methodology, material recommendations, and early-stage project input.
• Supports estimators on major regional pursuits.
• Works with sales leadership to develop strategic bid approaches.

• Partners with regional estimating, sales, and engineering teams to ensure scope clarity and unified estimating practices.
• Coordinates with the Pre-Bid team to resolve specification conflicts, RFIs, and scope discrepancies.
• Serves as escalation point for vendor, contractor, and engineering clarifications.

• Supervises the full estimating team including Estimator I through Lead Estimator.
• Conducts skill assessments and identifies development needs.
• Provides coaching, performance feedback, and structured mentoring to elevate technical proficiency.
• Supports senior leadership in implementing training programs and career progression paths for estimators.

• Reviews workflow data, and capacity dashboards to make informed management decisions.
• Collaborate with the Regional Sales Manager along with Senior Manager, Estimating on workload planning, resource allocation, and performance optimization.
• Provides regular reporting on productivity, accuracy, and team performance.

• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Advanced technical expertise in infrastructure estimating
• High-level analytical and problem-solving…