Junior Estimator and Inside Sales (Exterior Cladding and Building Envelope)

About the Opportunity 

Our client is a well-established, independently owned company representing a curated portfolio of exterior cladding and building envelope systems on behalf of leading manufacturers across Canada. With a strong reputation for technical expertise and reliable service, the team works closely with architects, contractors, and developers from early design through construction, providing practical solutions rather than simply taking orders. 

The culture is lean, collaborative, and hands-on. The team is small and senior, meaning individual contributions are visible and input genuinely matters. This is a role where a new graduate will be trained directly by experienced estimators and sales professionals, with real ownership from early on. 

The Opportunity 

On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Junior Estimator and Inside Sales professional who is eager to learn how a complex cladding package gets priced and equally willing to pick up the phone to move a quote toward a decision. Success in this role is measured by projects won, not quotes issued. The successful candidate will learn to prepare estimates and then take ownership of the follow-through, working closely with the field sales team and customers to move opportunities from quoted to closed, while keeping the CRM accurate and current on every pursuit that matters. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Support Follow-Up and Closing 

• Take ownership of following up on active quotes, calling and emailing customers to understand where the project stands and help move it toward a decision 

• Partner daily with the field sales team, sharing quote status, agreeing on next steps, and ensuring nothing stalls between the office and the field 

• Identify the real reasons a project is not moving forward, whether pricing, scope, schedule, competition, or specification, and bring solutions back to the customer 

• Negotiate and revise quotations as scope evolves, coordinating with sales and technical staff on strategy 

• Track win and loss outcomes, and feed lessons learned back into pricing and pursuit strategy 

2. Be the First Point of Contact 

• Serve as the first response to inbound inquiries from architects, general contractors, installers, and developers 

• Qualify opportunities by understanding the project, timeline, decision-makers, and overall fit 

• Route technical or specification-heavy inquiries to the appropriate internal or manufacturer resource 

3. Maintain the CRM as the Single Source of Truth 

• Take ownership of the CRM as the system of record for estimates, opportunities, and pursuits 

• Enter and maintain qualified projects with accurate value, stage, close date, and next action 

• Keep contacts, activity, and quote status current so the pipeline reflects reality at all times 

• Build and circulate pipeline and follow-up reports for the sales team and management 

• Help maintain strong CRM discipline as part of the wider team 

4. Support the Estimating and Bid Process 

• Review architectural drawings, specifications, and addenda to determine scope, quantities, and system requirements 

• Perform accurate material takeoffs for cladding, roofing, and building envelope packages 

• Build and maintain detailed estimating spreadsheets in Excel, applying pricing formulas, waste factors, and freight assumptions 

• Prepare clear, well-organized quotations and bid packages, including inclusions, exclusions, and qualifications 

• Prepare and coordinate responses to RFPs, RFQs, and tender documents 

• Coordinate pricing with manufacturers and suppliers, flagging long-lead or specialty items early 

• Track bid deadlines and ensure submissions go out complete and on time 

5. Collaborate and Support the Wider Team 

• Work closely with sales representatives and technical staff on project pursuits 

• Support specification and design-assist work by supplying budget pricing at the concept stage 

• Contribute to a shared library of pricing data, historical bids, and lessons learned 

Qualifications and Experience 

You are someone with 1 to 2 years of experience, or equivalent co-op/internship exposure, who is looking to build real credibility at the intersection of technical estimating and proactive sales. You bring: 

• A completed diploma or degree in architectural technology, civil or construction engineering technology, building science, construction management, or a related discipline 

• Some exposure to AutoCAD through coursework or work experience, and comfort working in a drawing-based environment 

• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and specifications, including elevations, sections, wall assemblies, and detail drawings 

• Strong Excel skills, comfortable working in and troubleshooting formula-driven spreadsheets, including lookups, nested formulas, linked sheets, and conditional logic 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to handle inbound calls and emails professionally and represent the company to architects and contractors. Bilingual French and English is strongly preferred 

• Comfort with proactive outbound follow-up and the persistence to chase a quote to a decision, undeterred by a few unanswered calls 

• Strong attention to detail and the discipline to manage multiple deadlines at once 

• Legal authorization to work in Canada 

Considered an Asset 

• Exposure to exterior cladding, metal panels, roofing, or building envelope systems through coursework, co-op, or summer work 

• Familiarity with digital takeoff software such as Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, or On-Screen Takeoff, or with Revit or SketchUp 

• Any exposure to a CRM platform or to Canadian construction tender processes 

• Co-op, internship, or summer experience in construction, a building products supplier, or a contractor's office 

What Success Looks Like 

This is a role where attitude and work ethic matter as much as technical training. The right person is a genuine self-starter who takes initiative without being prompted, is curious about how buildings go together, and asks questions rather than guessing. They are coachable, organized, and resilient enough to accept that not every pursuit is won. 

Within the first year, they will have learned the product line and started pricing independently, delivering accurate estimates and bid packages that hold up under scrutiny. They will chase quotes to a decision, keep the CRM as a source of truth the whole team relies on, and become the person customers and the field sales team count on for an accurate answer. This is a role to grow into a senior one, and the client is looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career in building products.