Cost Estimation Head

Position Overview

This leadership role requires a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in cost estimation within refinery, petrochemical, or oil and gas turnaround and shutdown projects. The incumbent will head the cost estimation team, guiding the preparation of precise and competitive cost estimates for turnaround (TA) and shutdown (SD) activities. Serving primarily from the office headquarters, the role also necessitates occasional site visits to verify scope and facilitate coordination with clients and contractors.

Educational and Experience Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering. Qualifications in Quantity Surveying or Cost Engineering are advantageous. The role demands a total of 15 years’ experience, including at least 10 years in cost estimation for relevant projects and a minimum of 7 years managing cost estimation or project control teams.

Languages and Market Knowledge

Fluency in both Arabic and English is mandatory, along with a robust understanding of the Saudi Arabian refining and petrochemical markets. Familiarity with local contractors, vendors, labor, and equipment rates is essential.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in various cost estimation techniques including conceptual, factored, and detailed bottom-up methodologies specifically for TA and SD scopes.
• Development and application of Time Unit Rates (TUR) and Work Unit Rates (WUR) to estimate labor productivity effectively.
• Experience using estimating software, cost databases, benchmarking libraries, and advanced Excel modeling.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation abilities to benchmark vendor and subcontractor pricing.
• Proven leadership skills to mentor and manage a multidisciplinary team focused on cost estimation.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Planning – setting clear short-term goals and ownership of departmental tasks.
• Analytical Skill – data collection and utilization to support own and department's objectives.
• Interpersonal Skills – effective collaboration within and across teams, fostering positive working relationships.
• Leadership and People Development – reviewing work quality, mentoring less experienced members, and escalating developmental concerns appropriately.
• Vision – aligning work outputs with broader departmental goals.
• Negotiation, Result Orientation, and Responsibility – achieving balanced agreements, delivering under pressure, and accountability.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the cost estimation team to produce accurate and competitive estimates for turnaround and shutdown projects across refinery and petrochemical sectors.
• Continuously improve estimating methodologies, maintain and update cost databases, and enhance benchmarking tools.
• Analyze work scopes, drawings, and site walkdown information to establish precise quantities, labor productivity, and equipment needs.
• Maintain and refresh TUR and WUR databases for labor and craft estimates.
• Keep abreast of current market conditions in Saudi Arabia related to labor, materials, equipment, and pricing.
• Coach and allocate workload to team members managing multiple concurrent bids and studies.
• Review and validate team estimates for quality, accuracy, and consistency before submission.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and value engineering during estimation.
• Communicate and defend estimates clearly to senior management, clients, and stakeholders, outlining assumptions and risks.
• Benchmark estimates against actual project costs to refine estimation accuracy continuously.
• Perform other assignments as delegated by management.

Managerial Duties

• Oversee daily functions of the cost estimation team.
• Develop staff skills through training on methodologies and local market data.
• Manage team resources and scheduling across multiple bids.
• Ensure compliance with internal estimating standards and quality benchmarks.
• Lead rapid turnaround estimation for emergency shutdown changes.
• Maintain strict adherence to submission timelines and accuracy performance indicators.
• Coordinate with planning, engineering, procurement, and operations teams for aligned input.

Additional Information

This position may include additional responsibilities as assigned by management, which relate to project-specific needs and the company's project-driven operational model.