Pre-Construction​/Estimating Manager

Job Description:

• Pre-Construction Manager (PC) – Doorsets & Ironmongery
• Location: Chesterfield
• Department: Sales / Pre-Construction
• Reports To: Key Account Manager (KAM) within Team Structure
• Team Structure: Team of 3 (KAM + PC + Sales Executive)

DATIM Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of architectural internal Doorsets and Ironmongery, delivering compliance-led, multi-room solutions into Apartments, PBSA, hotels, MOD/Defence and framework projects.

Our success is built on early technical engagement, structured estimating, commercial discipline and strong collaboration between Sales, Estimating, Production and Project Management.

We LISTEN. We MANUFACTURE. We DELIVER.

The Pre-Construction Manager is central to converting opportunities into secured, profitable orders.

The Pre-Construction Manager sits between the Key Account Manager and the Sales Executive within the Team of 3.

• Estimating leadership.
• Bid coordination.
• Needs analysis ownership.
• Value engineering.
• Technical compliance management.
• Commercial solution development.

• Client requirements.
• Budget constraints.
• Value engineering appetite.
• Programme demands.
• Competitor landscape.
• Key decision makers.
• Design and sample processes.

The objective is to establish a clear and structured “Path to Order” for every live opportunity.

Work alongside the KAM to lead or support structured Needs Analysis meetings with the client.

• Project scope and technical requirements.
• Door schedules, specifications and compliance obligations.
• Budget parameters and cost expectations.
• Value engineering appetite and decision flexibility.
• Programme timelines and critical milestones.
• Procurement route and framework constraints.
• Competitor involvement and positioning.
• Key stakeholders and decision makers.
• Sample requirements and design sign-off process.

• A defined technical and commercial strategy.
• A clear “Path to Order” plan.
• Identified risks and mitigation actions.
• A structured bid return approach.

• Compile detailed doorset schedules from architects’ drawings and specifications.
• Revise and refine schedules as designs evolve.
• Coordinate ironmongery integration to ensure full package alignment.
• Convert door schedules into structured estimating system formats.
• Liaise with Procurement to source products and negotiate costs.
• Raise and track RFIs to close information gaps.
• Write and refine specifications to improve competitiveness.
• Break down competitor specifications and positioning.
• Handle technical queries relating to doorsets and compliance.
• The PC owns technical accuracy and commercial integrity of the submission.

• Manage the full bid lifecycle from enquiry to submission.
• Ensure documentation completeness and validation.
• Coordinate with Sales Executive for data input and pack preparation.
• Align submission timing with agreed client deadlines.
• Ensure pricing reflects agreed strategy and risk profile.
• Support framework tenders and blue‑chip contractor submissions.
• The PC ensures bids are accurate, compliant and commercially structured to win.

• Analyse project budgets and propose compliant VE alternatives.
• Align technical proposals with client cost targets.
• Protect margin while improving competitiveness.
• Identify scope expansion opportunities.
• Provide technical justification to support pricing position.
• The PC must balance competitiveness with profitability.

• Review project programme requirements.
• Identify long‑lead items or compliance risks.
• Ensure…