Job Name
Lead Estimator
General Information
Date Published
09-Apr-2025
Advertising Ends
27-Apr-2025
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland, Canterbury, Hamilton & North Waikato, Taupo & Southern Waikato
Role Type
Engineering
Work Type
Permanent
ID#
9695
Position Description
Our Co-operative
Fonterra’s strength is in the collective | Te Mātāpuna toa takitini
We are a Co-operative created and owned by Aotearoa New Zealand dairy farmers. Since our beginnings, collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved here in New Zealand and around the world.
As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.
When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions.
About us | Whakapā mai
Our Capital Projects team delivers one of New Zealand’s largest and most diverse capital programs with hundreds of projects delivered each year. Working alongside some of New Zealand’s smartest and most reliable companies the team delivers end to end projects across dairy manufacturing, logistics, energy, water and wastewater, buildings, and asset care. With investment value from one hundred thousand to one hundred million there is opportunity abound for all project professionals to deliver value for our Cooperative.
About the opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga
Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in shaping the financial success of Fonterra's capital projects? We are seeking a highly skilled Capital Project's Lead Estimator to join our team. In this crucial position, you will provide accurate and timely cost estimates for our Global Engineering & Technical (GET) Portfolios, which encompass strategic capital projects valued at over $650M annually.
As the Lead Estimator, you will play a key role in strategic planning and financial management, ensuring our projects are cost-effective and aligned with organisational objectives. Your expertise will directly influence the success and profitability of our project portfolios by maintaining the financial accuracy and integrity of cost estimates.
This specialised role requires extensive experience and knowledge of complex, high-value capital projects within New Zealand's construction industry. If you have a passion for precision and a track record of excellence, we invite you to apply and make a significant impact at Fonterra.
This role can be based in Auckland, Hamilton or Christchurch.
Key accountabilities include:
- Estimation Leadership: Lead the development of comprehensive cost models for capital projects, prepare detailed cost reports and presentations, and maintain thorough documentation of estimation processes.
- Budget Alignment: Collaborate with project managers and finance teams to align estimates with project budgets, implement cost control systems, and regularly update cost estimates based on project progress.
- Cost Benchmarking: Conduct industry benchmarking to ensure project costs remain competitive and within market standards.
- Risk Analysis: Perform risk analysis on cost estimates to identify potential financial exposures and develop mitigation strategies.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to gather input and refine the price book and manage interfaces with partner QS companies.
- Process Improvement: Implement quality assurance processes, drive continuous improvement in estimation processes and stay informed about emerging technologies and best practices.
- Coaching, Mentoring and Training: Provide coaching and mentoring to project teams, develop and deliver training programs, offer performance feedback and foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
About you | Mōu
You bring a wealth of experience in cost estimation and financial analysis within technical or engineering environments. Your proficiency with estimation software and advanced Excel skills are complemented by a deep understanding of engineering and estimating principles, construction methods, and the project lifecycle. This expertise enables you to develop accurate cost models and effectively manage complex budgets.
Your exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with a keen eye for detail, enable you to provide precise and reliable financial insights. You are adept at communicating complex financial information to stakeholders at all levels, ensuring clear understanding and informed decision-making.
This is a highly specialized role that demands significant experience and knowledge of complex, high-value capital projects in New Zealand's construction industry.
What you will bring to us:
- A relevant tertiary qualification in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Construction Management.
- Experience with Project Management Methodologies (PMP® preferred).
- At least 10 years of experience in project management, cost estimation, and financial analysis within a large-scale engineering environment.
- Proficiency in estimation software and tools, including advanced Excel skills.
- A strong understanding of engineering and estimating principles, construction methods, and project lifecycles.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to convey complex financial/cost information clearly.
- A proven track record in developing accurate cost models and managing complex budgets.
- High level thinker with the ability to see the big picture and the ability to prioritize and deal with important details.
- Highly developed effective communication and people skills.
- Ability to foster a culture of continuous learning by encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration among project teams.
Your expertise and skills will be invaluable in ensuring the financial success of our high-value capital projects.
Our story | To Tatou Korero
Being part of Fonterra means being part of a unique history, realising the potential of dairy for generations to come, and solving for a better future together.
- Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit, guides a common strength and purpose.
- Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people at the heart of what we do.
- Kaitiakitanga ensures we care for the land, farming in a way that regenerates our farms and environment for future generations.
- Whakaohooho inspires us all with excellent career development opportunities, benefits, flexibility, and balance to suit everyone's lifestyles and choices.
Our Co-operative is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.
Sound good to you? Come join our whānau and let’s solve for better, together. You, me, us together. Tᾱtou tᾱtou.
