Head of Design, Technical & Estimating
Head of Design, Technical & Estimating
Exciting Opportunity: Head of Design, Technical & Estimating at Wernick Refurbished Buildings!
Location: Office-basedCompany: Wernick Refurbished Buildings (part of The Wernick Group)Position: Head of Design, Technical & Estimating
We are looking for an experienced leader to manage our Design, Technical and Estimating team in York. This is a hands-on management role focused on improving performance, supporting profitable sales growth and ensuring the team delivers accurate estimates and practical technical solutions.
The successful candidate will bring strong estimating experience, commercial awareness and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team.
Who We Are:We’re Wernick Refurbished Buildings, a proud division of The Wernick Group, the UK’s largest provider of modular buildings. With an impressive 90 years of innovation and family-owned success, we’ve doubled our profits in the last five years—and we’re just getting started! Our secret? A team full of passion, vision, and a relentless "can-do" attitude.
Why Join Wernick Refurbished Buildings?
This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping and improving a critical business function. You will have the chance to influence processes, develop people and support the continued growth of Wernick Refurbished Buildings while working within one of the UK's leading modular building businesses.
About this role
Key Responsibilites:
Leadership & Team Management:
Lead and manage the Design, Technical and Estimating team.
Set clear expectations and drive accountability.
Manage workloads and priorities across the department.
Coach, mentor and develop team members.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration
Estimating & Commercial Performance:
Improve estimating standards, accuracy and consistency.
Ensure bids are commercially competitive and profitable.
Identify and manage commercial risks.
Support the Sales team with pricing, tenders and quotations.
Help drive profitable growth across the business.
Technical & Design Oversight:
Provide technical guidance and challenge where required.
Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, fire standards and industry requirements.
Review designs and identify potential risks or issues.
Support the delivery of practical and cost-effective solutions.
Process Improvement:
Introduce and improve processes, systems and controls.
Drive efficiency, consistency and quality across the department.
Identify problems quickly and implement effective solutions.
Monitor departmental performance and implement improvements.
What We're Looking For:
Essential:
Significant estimating experience within construction, modular buildings or offsite construction.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of margins, risk and bid competitiveness.
Proven leadership and people management experience.
Good technical understanding of design and construction principles.
Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and AutoCAD.
Knowledge of Building Regulations, fire compliance and design standards.
Desirable:
Experience within the modular or portable building sector.
Experience leading a combined Design, Technical and Estimating function.
Relevant construction, engineering or management qualification.
Personal Qualities:
Practical and hands-on approach.
Strong commercial mindset.
Confident decision maker.
Excellent communication skills.
Results focused and accountable.
Committed to continuous improvement.
Able to build strong relationships with Sales, Projects and Operational teams.
What you will get in return:
Competitive salary with bonus scheme
Generous holiday allowance (increases with service), plus options to buy/sell holidays
Early finish on Fridays (working hours 8-4 M-T and 8-2.45 Friday)
35 hour week
Christmas shutdown
Cycle to work scheme
Group pension scheme
Annual salary reviews (every January)
Life Assurance (2x annual salary)
Personal Accident Insurance
Free onsite parking
Employee assistance programme
Training and progression opportunities
Open door policy in a family-run, secure business - trading 91 years this year!
Employee referral scheme
Discounts at selected retailers
Corporate Eyecare Scheme through Specsavers
Opportunity to provide feedback and ideas that you get rewarded for!
The company is unable to sponsor employment of international workers in this role. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We thank you in advance for your interest in this role and our company.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:
Any unsolicited CV’s will be sent at the recruitment agency’s own risk and will be interpreted as ‘gifts’ and we have no liability to you for any fee or otherwise. We reserve the right to engage with candidates directly having not, in any way, entered into your terms and conditions for this vacancy. By submitting an unsolicited CV to us, or to any member of our staff, you accept these terms as the default position. If we require your assistance with any vacancy we will contact you.
What you will need
Required criteria
- Significant estimating experience within construction, modular buildings or offsite construction.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of margins, risk and bid competitiveness.
- Proven leadership and people management experience.
- Good technical understanding of design and construction principles.
- Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and AutoCAD.
- Knowledge of Building Regulations, fire compliance and design standards.
Desired criteria
- Experience within the modular or portable building sector.
- Experience leading a combined Design, Technical and Estimating function.
- Relevant construction, engineering or management qualification.
