Description 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.
Requirements
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in industrial rigging, machinery moving, millwright services, tool setting, estimating, project management, business development, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of industrial rigging practices, machinery installation, and equipment handling.
- Experience conducting job-site evaluations and determining labor, equipment, and transportation requirements.
- Knowledge of machinery positioning, leveling, alignment, anchoring, and installation procedures.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, equipment drawings, floor plans, and technical specifications.
- Experience preparing project estimates, proposals, schedules, and budgets.
- Ability to identify new business opportunities, develop customer relationships, and manage prospective projects.
- Strong customer service, relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to coordinate multiple projects, customers, subcontractors, and field crews.
- Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and related business software.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly to customer and project locations.
- Ability to walk active job sites and work around heavy machinery and industrial equipment.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and climb as needed to evaluate job-site conditions.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong work ethic and ability to work effectively as part of the team.
- Willingness to attend required training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous hands-on experience as a Rigger, Machinery Mover, Millwright, Tool Setter, Foreman, Superintendent, or Project Manager.
- Experience estimating and managing industrial machinery moving or rigging projects.
- Previous business development, sales, or account management experience in industrial services, construction, rigging, or heavy equipment.
- Experience generating leads, developing new customer relationships, and managing large-scale project opportunities.
- Knowledge of crane capacities, load calculations, rigging configurations, and critical-lift planning.
- Experience with CNC machines, industrial presses, semiconductor equipment, manufacturing lines, or other precision machinery.
- Familiarity with surveying, laser alignment, precision leveling, and equipment layout.
- Experience using estimating, scheduling, project-cost tracking, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
- OSHA 10 certification or other applicable safety training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous hands-on experience as a Rigger, Machinery Mover, Millwright, Tool Setter, Foreman, Superintendent, or Project Manager.
- Experience estimating and managing industrial machinery moving or rigging projects.
- Previous business development, sales, or account management experience in industrial services, construction, rigging, or heavy equipment.
- Experience generating leads, developing new customer relationships, and managing large-scale project opportunities.
- Knowledge of crane capacities, load calculations, rigging configurations, and critical-lift planning.
- Experience with CNC machines, industrial presses, semiconductor equipment, manufacturing lines, or other precision machinery.
- Familiarity with surveying, laser alignment, precision leveling, and equipment layout.
- Experience using estimating, scheduling, project-cost tracking, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
- OSHA 10 certification or other applicable safety training.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay: $85,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on experience
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Profit-Sharing Plan
- Paid training and development
About Lawson Drayage Lawson Drayage is a family-owned machinery moving, rigging, transportation, and warehousing company that has been in business since 1919. We are known for quality work, safety, and long-standing customer relationships.
Additional Information Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check, physical, and drug test.
This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required for the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Application Information Our recruiter will handle all communication regarding your application and next steps. Please no phone calls or in-person inquiries regarding application status.