Heavy Civil and Building Construction · Niagara Falls, NY
Most contractors separate estimating from project management. We do not.
At Mark Cerrone, Inc., we believe the people who price the work should understand how it gets built, and the people who manage the work should understand how it was priced. That philosophy has helped us deliver successful projects throughout Western New York for decades.
We are not a large corporate contractor where decisions are buried behind layers of management. We are a closely held company with hands-on leadership, and the people responsible for the work have direct access to the resources and decision-makers needed to get projects built successfully.
Our work spans highway construction, bridges, underground utilities, site development, heavy civil infrastructure, and building construction. Unlike many contractors, we self-perform a significant portion of our work with our own crews and equipment, giving our project teams direct control over production, quality, scheduling, and results.
This position offers something many construction professionals spend years looking for: true ownership. You will be trusted to prepare bids, buy out work, manage subcontractors, direct project execution, control costs, and bring projects to successful completion. You will see your decisions play out in the field and have the authority to influence the outcome.
Some projects will be built from your own estimate. Others will be handed to you after award. Likewise, some of your estimates may be managed by another team member. Success here requires professionals who can both create a plan and execute one, while maintaining accountability for schedule, budget, safety, quality, and profitability.
If you enjoy seeing your work move from plans and numbers to completed projects in the field, and you want to play a significant role in a company that builds with its own people, its own equipment, and a long-term commitment to Western New York, we would like to talk with you.
Keep reading if you’re looking for more than just another estimating or project management job. This is an opportunity to own your work, influence results, and grow with a company that continues to invest in its people, equipment, and future.
Reports to
Project Executive
Department
Estimating / Project Management
FLSA status
Exempt (salaried)
Employment type
Full-time, on-site
Posted salary range
$125,000 – $150,000 annually, plus bonus and vehicle allowance
The Senior Estimator / Project Manager bids and builds. This position carries a project from the estimate through closeout — preparing the bid, then managing the work that bid becomes. It is a hands-on role, not a supervisory one: you are accountable for your own projects and your own numbers, not for staffing a department.
Work spans heavy civil (highway, bridge, underground utilities, site development, largely NYSDOT and municipal public bid work) and building construction. Mark Cerrone, Inc. self-performs the majority of its work with company crews and company-owned equipment, so estimates are built on real production rates, not subcontractor quotes alone.
- Review bid documents, plans, specifications, addenda and geotechnical reports to establish full scope of work.
- Perform quantity takeoff and prepare detailed unit-price estimates for heavy civil work, including NYSDOT item-based bids.
- Prepare estimates for building work, including assembly pricing, CSI division breakdown, subcontractor bid solicitation and leveling, and scope gap analysis.
- Develop production rates and crew and equipment pricing for self-performed work in coordination with field operations and fleet.
- Solicit, evaluate and level subcontractor and supplier quotations; identify and close scope gaps before bid.
- Apply prevailing wage rates, and confirm DBE, MWBE and SDVOB participation requirements are met and documented.
- Prepare and review bid forms, bonds and required certifications; ensure on-time, compliant bid submission.
- Participate in bid review and strategy discussions with senior management; recommend markup and contingency.
- Conduct pass-off to project execution, including budget, production goals and identified risks.
- Own budget, schedule and margin for assigned projects from award through closeout and final payment.
- Complete buy-out: award subcontracts and purchase orders consistent with the estimate.
- Develop and maintain the project schedule; forecast labor, material and equipment needs on a rolling basis.
- Coordinate daily with superintendents and foremen on production, staffing and equipment requirements.
- Review cost and production reports against budget; identify variances early and act on them.
- Manage the change order process end to end — identify potential changes, price them, submit, negotiate and close, and confirm accounting and contract records are updated.
- Prepare and process owner billings, requisitions and pay applications with the accounting department.
- Administer submittals, RFIs, and project documentation; maintain records adequate to support any future claim.
- Represent the company with owners, agencies, engineers, architects and consultants.
- Run regular project status meetings; escalate issues affecting cost, scope or schedule before they harden.
- Enforce company safety and quality standards on assigned projects and support the safety program in the field.
- Coordinate closeout: punch list, as-builts, warranties, final quantities and retainage release.
- Six (6) or more years of combined estimating and project management experience in heavy civil or building construction; or ten (10) or more years of progressive construction experience demonstrating equivalent capability.
- Demonstrated experience preparing and winning competitively bid work, with references to specific projects and dollar values.
- Working knowledge of construction budgets, cost accounting and margin management.
- Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications and contract documents.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; ability to learn estimating and project management software.
- Valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the company’s insurance carrier.
- Strong written and verbal communication; sound, timely decision-making across concurrent projects.
A bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering or a related field is preferred and may substitute for two years of the experience requirement. It is not required — demonstrated estimating and project management capability is what this role is hired on.
- NYSDOT bidding and project administration experience.
- Public works experience including prevailing wage, certified payroll and DBE/MWBE compliance.
- Experience with self-perform crews and company-owned equipment.
- Capability across both heavy civil and building work.
- Familiarity with HeavyBid, Bid2Win, AGTEK, On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, or comparable platforms.
- OSHA 30.
With or without reasonable accommodation, this position requires the ability to:
- Perform periodic inspections of active construction sites, including walking uneven terrain, and ascending and descending slopes, ladders and excavations.
- Wear required personal protective equipment, including hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility apparel and steel-toed boots.
- Work outdoors in varying weather conditions typical of Western New York.
- Sit and work at a computer for extended periods during estimating and bid preparation.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (plan sets, samples, equipment).
- Travel to project sites, pre-bid meetings and owner meetings throughout the region.
Work is performed in both an office setting and at active construction sites. Bid deadlines and construction season overlap; extended hours are required during peak bid periods and at critical points in project execution.
The posted salary range for this position is $125,000 to $150,000 annually. The range reflects what Mark Cerrone, Inc. in good faith expects to pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation within the range depends on experience, demonstrated capability, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for:
- Annual performance bonus based on bid results and project margin
- Company vehicle allowance, with fuel reimbursements
- Health insurance copay premiums
- 401(k) with company match
- Life insurance policy of $20,000.00
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Company-provided phone, laptop and software licenses
Mark Cerrone, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Mark Cerrone, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources department.
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, and other duties may be assigned as needed.
