Estimator

Lawson Drayage is looking for an experienced Estimator / Project Manager with a strong focus on Business Development to estimate, plan, coordinate, and oversee industrial rigging, machinery moving, equipment installation, and precision tool-setting projects while identifying and developing new business opportunities. This position combines technical estimating, project management, customer relationship management, and business development to support successful project execution and continued company growth.

What We're Looking For: An experienced professional with a strong understanding of industrial rigging, machinery moving, and equipment installation who also enjoys building customer relationships and developing new business. We're looking for someone who is organized, self-motivated, confident working directly with customers and field crews, and comfortable managing projects while proactively pursuing new opportunities. The ideal candidate has strong technical knowledge, communication skills, and a business development mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Project Management

• Conduct job-site walks to evaluate rigging, machinery moving, equipment installation, and tool-setting requirements.
• Assess machinery dimensions, weights, lifting points, access routes, floor conditions, and potential obstacles.
• Prepare accurate project estimates, proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and budgets.
• Estimate labor, trucking, rigging equipment, materials, permits, subcontractors, and other project costs.
• Review blueprints, equipment drawings, floor plans, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Develop safe and efficient rigging, machinery moving, and equipment installation plans.
• Determine appropriate equipment, including cranes, forklifts, gantries, Versa-Lifts, skates, jacks, hoists, and related rigging equipment.
• Plan and coordinate machinery unloading, moving, positioning, leveling, anchoring, and precision tool setting.
• Coordinate with dispatch, field crews, operators, drivers, subcontractors, and customers to ensure projects are properly staffed and equipped.
• Lead pre-job planning meetings and communicate project expectations, schedules, and safety requirements.
• Monitor active projects to ensure work is completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Track project costs, labor hours, equipment usage, and overall progress.
• Identify changes in project scope, prepare additional estimates, and obtain customer approval when necessary.
• Troubleshoot job-site challenges and resolve project-related issues.
• Review completed work orders and documentation to support accurate invoicing.

Business Development & Customer Relationships

• Proactively identify, engage, and follow up with prospective customers to generate new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain organized, up-to-date lead and prospect lists.
• Identify, develop, manage, and track large-scale project opportunities throughout the sales cycle, from initial planning and funding through contract award and project execution.
• Collaborate with the sales team to identify target customers, develop strategic prospecting plans, and pursue new business opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong customer relationships through effective communication, professional presentations, negotiation, and ongoing follow-up.
• Build long-term relationships with existing and prospective customers to support repeat business and customer satisfaction.
• Work closely with business partners, operations management, and internal teams to identify growth opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, market pricing, emerging opportunities, and service offerings to identify competitive advantages.
• Support strategic business decisions by sharing market insights, customer feedback, and potential project opportunities.
• Maintain strong working relationships with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and field personnel.
• Follow company safety procedures and applicable job-site requirements.
• Attend paid training as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.