Established in 2001, Connect it Utility Services is a leading provider of multi-utility connections in the UK. With a commitment to delivering excellence in utility services, we specialize in electric, water and gas infrastructure for residential, commercial, and industrial developments as well as projects for network operators and commercial EV charging installs. Our comprehensive services cover everything from design to installation, ensuring reliable utility connections for our clients nationwide.

As a Trainee Estimator, you’ll join an existing team as the first point of contact for quotation enquiries, based out of our Head Office in Hedge End, Southampton.

The team prides itself in providing exceptional estimating services to clients and customers, building relationships with internal and external contacts, supporting the business to provide accurate, high-quality quotations that meet customer needs and legal obligations, whilst delivering a competitive price.

With full training provided, you will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with customers and coordinating the process for designing multi utility quotations as required by the business, ensuring accurate cost estimates for varying activities associated with multi utility projects, including Electricity, Gas and Water.

Unrivalled opportunity to break into the multi-utility sector and forge a career within estimating.

Key skills:

• Provide a first-class service to clients; efficiently handling enquiries, quotations, and tenders.
• Producing project specific information to enable quotes to be supplied in the most efficient and cost-effective way, considering customer expectations and standards, internal procedures and legal constraints.
• Utilise standard methods and procedures to obtain relevant information i.e. Environmental queries.
• Obtain quotes for heavy plant or other potential costs to build into the tender.
• Learn and understand network connection processes to further any enquiries as needed, including the asset values process.
• Create accurate formal proposals using established templates and provide job specific information for approval by project teams; and implement alterations to proposals as required. 
• Where relevant, attend pre-site survey meetings to further identify the scope of works involved. 
• Obtain feedback on the tender process and act upon any remedial actions.
• Liaise with Project Managers to ensure they are knowledgeable about the proposal and can support any queries.
• Monitor the process and manage expectations, e.g. tracking payments, legal and designs being instructed, and briefing Project Managers on handover of contract, etc.
• Provide input into the tender review process to understand strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.

Qualifications and experience:

• Experience within a similar commercial environment preferred, ideally within the multi utility or construction sector.
• Understanding the estimation and tendering process.
• Knowledge of utility networks and the regulated environment that they operate in.
• An analytical bias and ability to provide solutions.
• Interpreting technical information and drawings.
• Customer focussed with a track record of ensuring that requirements are delivered professionally and to time.
• A person who is driven to deliver, a ‘can do’ achiever who can take the initiative to see changes through to delivery.
• To work flexibly within the demands of the tender, whilst maintaining procedural requirements of the task.
• Strong attention to detail, organisational, coordination and planning skills, with excellent time management skills to be able to work to deadlines.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, providing an ability to work across all levels.
• Microsoft skills (particularly Outlook, Excel, Word) and experience of using a CRM system would be ideal although training will be given.

Additional:

• Relevant degree preferred, relevant skills and experience will also be considered i.e. on site utilities / electrical network experience of at least one year.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Sound knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of CRM systems, e.g. Salesforce.
• Strong customer service ethic.
• A can-do attitude that will support other tasks as the business develops.
• Being keen to learn and improve technical knowledge in the utility / construction industry; full training will be given.
• 35 working hours per week with flexible working and a great place to work.

Connect it is an equal opportunities employer, and we value diversity and promote equality across our business. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are always happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. The terminology used in this advert is not intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010.

By submitting your application for this position, you are authorising your personal information to be treated in accordance with GDPR. All information submitted to us in relation to your application will be stored confidentially and will only be used in accordance with the Connect it Privacy Policy.