Senior Labor Cost Estimator

About Empire Office

Empire Office is the largest commercial furniture dealer in the world, with over 79 years of experience and more than 425 full-time employees across the country. We are the preeminent Steelcase dealer in the United States and support a list of more than 500 manufacturers. We partner with best-in-class architects, designers, brokers, craftsmen, and manufacturers to deliver proven workspace solutions. With creative and cost-effective results, we address business challenges and activate brands.

Overview

The Empire Office is seeking a Senior Labor Cost Estimator to join our team in Secaucus, NJ. This individual will play a critical role in developing accurate labor budgets and forecasts for furniture delivery and installation projects, including systems furniture, architectural walls, and ancillary products. The ideal candidate will bring a high level of technical knowledge, project experience, and strategic insight to support the success of large-scale, multi-phase installations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of detailed labor budgets and schedules for furniture delivery and installation, ensuring alignment with project scope and timeline.
• Interpret architectural drawings, furniture plans, and specifications to assess labor requirements and logistics needs.
• Apply advanced knowledge of Steelcase systems and other major vendors to generate accurate labor estimates.
• Conduct site visits and bid walk-throughs to evaluate jobsite conditions and installation complexity.
• Coordinate with project managers, scheduling teams, and operations staff to ensure labor planning aligns with project milestones and budget targets.
• Track and control labor costs throughout project lifecycles, proactively identifying variances and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior estimators or operations staff as needed.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance cost control, efficiency, and forecasting accuracy.

Qualifications:

• 5 - 7+ years of experience in cost labor estimating within the commercial furniture, construction, or project management industries.
• Salary range: $75,000 – $90,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
• Demonstrated ability to create and manage labor budgets and schedules for complex, multi-phase projects.
• Strong knowledge of Steelcase products and familiarity with a range of systems from other major manufacturers.
• Proficient in reading BOLs, installation worksheets, and construction documents.
• Skilled in Office 365 with intermediate to advanced Excel abilities; experience with Hedberg and Procore preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel locally for job-site assessments and project walk-throughs.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, if needed.