Lead Estimator - Catering Services

About the role

The Lead Estimator prepares accurate and competitive cost estimates, tenders and commercial proposals for catering, food services, camp operations and hospitality projects. The role needs strong experience in catering bids, pricing models, food cost calculations, manpower costing and commercial analysis to support successful tender submissions.

Key responsibilities

• Review RFPs, RFQs and tender documents.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates for catering and food service contracts.
• Develop pricing models for manpower, food supplies, equipment and logistics.
• Calculate food cost, menu costing and operational expenses.
• Coordinate with Operations, Procurement and Finance teams during bid preparation.
• Analyse client requirements, contract terms and commercial risks.
• Obtain supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Prepare commercial proposals, BOQs and bid submissions.
• Conduct profitability and margin analysis.
• Participate in tender clarifications and commercial negotiations.
• Maintain a database of historical cost data and pricing benchmarks.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Hospitality Management, Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of estimating and bidding experience, including 3-5 years in catering, food services, camp management or hospitality tenders.
• Strong commercial and financial analysis background.
• Experience preparing bids for large-scale catering contracts.
• Experience with the GCC/Qatar market is preferred.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of food costing and manpower costing.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.