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DATIM Ltd

Pre-Construction / Estimating Manager

Chesterfield, Derbyshire•Full-time
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About the Job
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)

About DATIM Ltd:
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.

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

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

The PC works closely with the KAM to fully understand:
  • Client requirements.
  • Budget constraints.
  • Value engineering appetite.
  • Programme demands.
  • Competitor landscape.
  • Key decision makers.
  • Design and sample processes.
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The objective is to establish a clear and structured “Path to Order” for every live opportunity.

Key Responsibilities:
Needs Analysis & Path to Order Development:
Work alongside the KAM to lead or support structured Needs Analysis meetings with the client.
Fully understand and document:
  • 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.
Translate this intelligence into:
  • A defined technical and commercial strategy.
  • A clear “Path to Order” plan.
  • Identified risks and mitigation actions.
  • A structured bid return approach.
Estimating & Technical Compilation:
  • 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.
Bid Coordination & Submission Management:
  • 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.
Value Engineering & Commercial Strategy:
  • 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.
Programme & Technical Risk Management:
  • Review project programme requirements.
  • Identify long-lead items or compliance risks.
  • Ensure production capability alignment.
  • Highlight programme risk to KAM early.
  • Support realistic commitment setting.
  • The PC prevents overpromising and protects operational delivery.
CRM, Workflow & Internal Coordination:
  • Ensure accurate booking-in of projects and documentation structure.
  • Maintain structured live quote tracking.
  • Coordinate spreadsheet imports and data consistency.
  • Support internal review meetings and bid strategy sessions.
  • Prepare technical handover documentation for PM team upon order.

Collaboration Within the Team of 3:
With KAM:
  • Joint needs analysis.
  • Commercial positioning strategy.
  • Competitor assessment.
  • Client engagement planning.
With Sales Executive:
  • Quote coordination.
  • CRM accuracy.
  • RFI tracking.
  • Document preparation.
  • Submission pack readiness.
  • The PC ensures the team operates with clarity, pace and structure.

Experience & Background Required:
  • Proven estimating experience within Doorsets, Ironmongery or construction.
  • Strong understanding of architectural drawings and specifications.
  • Experience managing framework tenders or regulated projects.
  • Demonstrated value engineering capability.
  • Commercial awareness and margin understanding.
  • Experience liaising with procurement and suppliers.

Desirable:
  • BIM / FDIS / GAI knowledge.
  • Experience preparing CAD technical drawings.
  • Experience coordinating multi-room developments.

Key Attributes:
  • Highly analytical and detail-oriented.
  • Commercially intelligent.
  • Structured and process-driven.
  • Strong communicator with technical confidence.
  • Calm under pressure and deadline-driven.
  • Collaborative but decisive.
  • Comfortable challenging assumptions.

What Success Looks Like:
  • Clear “Path to Order” strategy on all live bids.
  • Accurate, compliant and competitive submissions.
  • Strong technical credibility with clients.
  • Effective value engineering without margin erosion.
  • Reduced post-award scope disputes.
  • Smooth and structured handovers to Project Management.
  • Strong alignment between Sales, Procurement and Production.

Why This Role Matters:
The Pre-Construction Manager is the technical and commercial bridge between opportunity and order.

When performed well, this role:
  • Increases win rates.
  • Protects margin.
  • Reduces operational risk.
  • Strengthens client confidence.
  • Makes revenue predictable and disciplined.

Within DATIM’s structure, the PC is not just an estimator — they are a strategic bid leader and technical deal architect.
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