Commercial & Estimating Manager – Civils, Utilities & Land Services

Girvan, Ayrshire
D. Horne Services Ltd
About UsD Horne Services Ltd delivers civils, utilities support, cable works, groundworks, operated plant hire, forestry/site clearance, tree works, fencing, concrete works and renewable-sector infrastructure across South West Scotland and beyond.We support major contractors across the renewables, utilities and infrastructure sectors and are expanding our capability to secure larger civils and land-service opportunities as the business continues to grow.We are now recruiting a Commercial & Estimating Manager – Civils, Utilities & Land Services to take full ownership of pricing, commercial management, job costings, procurement, stock systems, transport costings and digital workflow improvements.This is a key strategic role that will directly influence the commercial strength and future growth of the business.The RoleThis is a senior, multi-discipline commercial role covering estimating, procurement, job costing, commercial submissions, stock control and operational commercial support.You will lead all commercial and estimating activity within DHS, ensuring accurate pricing, fast tender turnaround, strong margin protection and professional client communication.You will also be responsible for pulling together all job information to produce full costings for invoicing, supporting planning, and overseeing workshop/yard stock systems.You will play a key role in supporting the integration and setup of a new job management system, helping design and implement improved digital workflows across the business.This is a full-time office-based role, with site visits as required.Key Responsibilities: Estimating & Pricing

• Price all civils, utilities support, cable trenching, groundworks, fencing, concrete works, arb/forestry, tree works and ground maintenance contracts
• Build professional costing sheets, BOQs, rate sheets and tender templates
• Prepare and submit tenders, quotes and NEC-aligned commercial submissions
• Review client scopes, drawings and specifications to ensure accurate pricing
• Attend site visits, carry out measures and clarify scope gaps with clients

Commercial Management

• Identify variations and compensation events, prepare submissions and protect margin
• Support invoicing by providing accurate commercial breakdowns and responding to client queries
• Work with the Operations Manager to support planning, durations and job sequencing
• Assist with business development by identifying opportunities and supporting client engagement
• Develop commercial systems, templates and workflows to improve pricing speed, accuracy and consistency

Job Costing & Close-Out

• Pull all job information together (labour, plant, materials, variations, measures, photos, delivery notes)
• Produce full job costings for invoicing
• Ensure all commercial records are complete, accurate and submitted on time

Procurement & Materials Pricing

• Source and negotiate material and subcontractor pricing
• Build preferred supplier lists and maintain competitive rates
• Price all materials, consumables and subcontractor elements for jobs

Workshop, Yard & Transport Commercial Control

• Oversee workshop and yard stock systems, ensuring accurate tracking and replenishment
• Work with the workshop team to cost repairs, maintenance and internal works
• Manage in-house transport costings, including fuel, haulage, deliveries and internal fleet usage
• Support commercial reporting for plant, vehicles and workshop operations

Digital Workflow & System Development

• Support the integration and setup of a new job management system
• Ensure commercial, job costing and stock processes are fully integrated
• Work with the Director and Operations Manager to streamline digital job management

Essential Experience

• Strong background in civils, utilities support, cable trenching, ducting or similar infrastructure works
• Experience pricing multi-discipline packages (civils, fencing, concrete, arb/forestry, ground maintenance)
• Ability to build BOQs, costing sheets and tender packs
• Understanding of NEC Option A/B basics, variations and compensation events
• Confident dealing with clients, scopes, drawings and specifications
• Strong commercial awareness and margin protection mindset
• Experience with digital job management or workflow systems
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of commercial delivery
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable (Not Essential)

• Experience working with major contractors
• Knowledge of renewable infrastructure civils
• Experience with tender portals and commercial submissions
• Experience in utilities reinstatement or cable route civils
• Ability to support business development and identify new work opportunities

What We Offer

• £55,000-£65,000 salary depending on experience
• Company vehicle
• A senior role with real influence over company growth
• Direct involvement in civils, utilities and land-service projects
• Opportunity to build DHS’s commercial department from the ground up
• Long-term progression as the business expands

ApplyIf you have strong civils/utilities experience and can price multi-discipline packages while managing commercial systems, procurement and job costings, we’d like to hear from you.REF-