Estimating Cost Manager (West Region) - JD Finish Line : Job Details

This candidate can live anywhere in the West Coast, ideally in: Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico or Nevada.

The Estimating Cost Manager is responsible for the management and control of capex budgets within the Western Region of North America. Reporting to the Senior Cost Manager this person will manage all commercial aspects of the end to end project cycle of new stores, re-fits and extensions to high standards. This includes managing and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects to plan. This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Line's core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following key duties:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for contributing to the coordination and management of the capital investment plan to deliver programs, projects and initiatives of varying size and complexity taking account of quality, health and safety implications.
• Responsible for implementing a cost reduction strategy within the Property Department, ensuring cost reduction activity and value engineering is delivered appropriately.
• Drives the value engineering strategy across all store formats, ensuring that best value is delivered without adverse influence for life cycle cost or compromising operational efficiency.
• Manages the project feasibility process from initial proposal through scoping and option studies to Board Approval of funding. Involved in site visits to identify constraints and risks.
• Develops and executes the modeling and estimating techniques to provide accurate rates and costs for an annual spend across a variety of different types and sizes of new retail projects.
• Develops and manages procurement techniques to suit the types of programs, projects and initiatives with solutions which will demonstrate and ensure best value is delivered.
• Conducts bid processes including preparation of bid documentation, evaluation of bids and the making of detailed recommendations.
• Adopts a consistent approach to the engagement of all consultants, suppliers and contractors employed by the company to carry out works associated with the capital investment plan. Ensures a timely appointment including agreement of fees and an appropriately specified level of services and activities. Avoids duplication of roles with other consultants and vendors.
• Manages the financial process of individual projects through regular communication and assesses the potential impact of change on the budgets. Takes account of the financial impact on the business and ensures change control procedures are adhered to. Communicates any variances with the appropriate area/individual.
• Responsible for placing all necessary orders in accordance with company policies to ensure projects are executed according to the agreed schedule.
• Ensures payments are approved and processed in a timely and correct manner.
• Agreement of final accounts with all contractors, consultants and suppliers.
• Develops and maintains accurate benchmark costs across all JD Group fascias and individual cost elements with an appreciation of JD Group costs within the wider retail industry context.
• Continuously reviews and develops improvements.
• Coaches, mentors, motivates and supervises project team members and contractors encouraging them to take positive action and assume accountability for their assigned work.
• Additional duties and projects as required.

Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years of Estimating of Cost Management Experience
• Prior knowledge and experience of the USA construction and shop fit industry including knowledge of legislation processes and managing projects.
• Experience in a corporate client-based organization or specialist consultancy.
• Experience managing multiple, simultaneous projects across a number of group fascia's keeping them on budget and delivering them on time and to a high standard.
• Full ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders and departments.
• Numerate and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to adjust to real time situations and adapt accordingly.
• Self-motivated and driven but can work as part of a team.
• Role is field based with travel throughout North America – this will require overnight stays.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Preferred Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Construction Faculty (MRICS) or working towards it or equivalent.
• Relevant bachelor's degree or construction cost management qualification would be preferred.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft / Google (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift
• Use hands to finger, handle and feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk and/or hear
• Walk or move from one location to another
• Occasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company's policies are required for the position.
• Average work week is (40-50) hours, which can vary depending on business need.
• The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting.

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.