Job Summary

Gallo Mechanical is seeking an experienced Sheet Metal Estimating Manager to lead our sheet metal preconstruction function. This role is responsible for overseeing the full estimating process for sheet metal and HVAC ductwork scopes, managing and developing the estimating team, and ensuring estimates are accurate, competitive, and delivered on time. The Sheet Metal Estimating Manager serves as the technical authority for sheet metal preconstruction and works closely with executive leadership, project management, BIM/VDC, and operations to drive bid strategy and support company growth.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of sheet metal estimators, providing guidance on technical accuracy, estimating methodology, and professional growth.

• Review and approve all sheet metal estimates prior to submission, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with bid strategy.
• Manage the estimating team’s workload, capacity planning, and bid calendar to ensure timely proposal submissions across multiple concurrent pursuits.
• Establish and enforce estimating standards, templates, workflows, and quality control processes across the team.

Estimating & Preconstruction

• Lead and personally execute estimates for large, complex, or strategic sheet metal and HVAC ductwork scopes as needed.
• Perform and oversee quantity takeoffs from construction drawings, specifications, BIM models, and RFPs.
• Direct the compilation of material takeoffs, labor hours, fabrication costs, and equipment summaries into complete project estimates.
• Drive go/no-go bid decisions in collaboration with executive leadership, evaluating project risk, scope complexity, and margin potential.
• Attend pre-bid walkthroughs, scope review meetings, and client/engineer coordination sessions.
• Oversee the solicitation, review, and analysis of subcontractor and vendor quotes to ensure scope alignment and competitiveness.
• Ensure clean and complete handoff of all estimating data and cost baselines to the project management team upon project award.

Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Own and continuously improve the estimating department’s historical cost database, labor productivity benchmarks, and material pricing libraries.
• Identify opportunities to improve estimating tools, software utilization, and process efficiency across the preconstruction function.
• Partner with BIM/VDC and operations leadership to integrate prefabrication strategies and model-based takeoff into the estimating workflow.
• Report preconstruction pipeline status, bid activity, and win/loss trends to executive leadership on a regular basis.
• Stay current on SMACNA standards, material market conditions, labor rates, and industry best practices; disseminate knowledge to the team.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of sheet metal estimating experience in commercial mechanical construction, with at least 2–3 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable an estimating team in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Strong bid strategy and go/no-go decision-making experience across a range of project types and sizes.
• Exceptional analytical and mathematical skills with a track record of producing accurate, detailed, and competitive cost estimates.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority bids simultaneously while supervising team workload and maintaining quality.
• Effective communicator and presenter with the ability to engage clients, engineers, subcontractors, and executive stakeholders.

Sheet Metal – Technical

• Proficiency in sheet metal estimating software — Trimble Autobid Sheet Metal, FastDUCT, or equivalent required.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu for plan review, takeoff markup, and document management.
• Deep working knowledge of SMACNA standards for duct construction, sealing classifications, pressure classes, and installation requirements.
• Comprehensive understanding of sheet metal gauges, materials (galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum), and their application across duct system types and project conditions.
• Ability to identify and estimate specialty sheet metal components including custom fittings, dampers, louvers, access doors, and sound attenuation products.
• Strong understanding of duct leakage testing requirements and how sealing class and pressure class drive labor and material cost.
• Thorough understanding of prefabrication workflows and the ability to factor shop fabrication, logistics, and field labor costs separately and accurately within an estimate.

About Gallo Mechanical

Founded in 1945, Gallo Mechanical is a premier mechanical construction and service provider headquartered in New Orleans, bringing more than 80 years of experience delivering mission-critical HVAC and plumbing solutions across the Southeastern United States—from Houston to the Carolinas. Guided by its values of family, service, and performance, Gallo maintains an unwavering commitment to its people and proudly serves healthcare, hospitality, education, industrial, and high-tech markets with a strong focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Inclusive Employer

Our number one focus will always be our people. Gallo Mechanical welcomes employees from varied backgrounds and walks of life, and it’s reflected in our diverse community. Gallo Mechanical is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to administering personnel actions, including hiring, training, promoting and compensating its employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.