Cost Estimator III, Global Capital Projects - Decatur, IL

Capital Projects Estimator III, Global - Decatur, IL

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt-level position.

• Ideal work locations for this position include Decatur, IL or another ADM location.

Position Summary:

The Global Capital Projects Estimator III plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, financial planning and control throughout the project lifecycle. This role brings value to the capital project lifecycle by providing an unbiased evaluation that aligns each estimate with corporate standards, industry best practices, and FEL requirements, strengthening project governance and cost accuracy.

This position collaborates with regional and global project teams to ensure cost predictability and transparency throughout all project phases. The Estimator supports stage-gate deliverables, validates cost assumptions, tracks post-execution actuals, and drives continuous improvement of estimating tools, standards, and benchmarking practices across the enterprise.

In addition, this role serves as the lead cost estimator for the project controls group, generating and managing benchmarking information, identifying and approving benchmarking and validation data sources and serving as a subject matter expert on capital cost estimates and the Cost Management process.

Essential Job Functions:

• Generate and maintain Cost Estimating Benchmarks and validation information
• Maintain a list of approved sources for estimate information validation and benchmarking, including, but not limited to, ACCE, RS Means, AACE, etc.
• Evaluate and disposition new cost sources to determine validity and usefulness
• Develop and maintain Capital Cost Module library elements for use in estimate generation and validation, ensuring data
• Provide an independent, objective evaluation of the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring alignment with Project Controls best practices, established methodologies, and corporate standards
• Assist in developing and validate FEL capital project estimates for projects typically exceeding $5 million across multiple global regions
• Ensure compliance with global estimating standards and governance requirements at each stage gate
• Analyze and incorporate allowances, risk reserves, and contingency based on project complexity and risk profile
• Validate alignment between scope, schedule, and cost to ensure complete and accurate estimates
• Partner with Project Managers, internal and external engineering teams, and Procurement to obtain essential inputs and validate cost assumptions throughout the estimating process
• Support the initiation, evaluation, and approval of Project Control Requests
• Participate in the Project Controls change management process to ensure accurate assessment, documentation, and governance of scope, cost, and schedule modifications
• Partner with Business Analysts and Project Managers to forecast cost impacts of proposed scope changes
• Maintain and improve estimating databases, historical cost data, and benchmarking tools within enterprise systems
• Contribute to global continuous improvement initiatives, including tool development, training, and standardization of estimating practices
• Support risk analysis workshops and integrate risk-adjusted cost estimates into project planning
• Collaborate with Procurement to validate vendor quotes and market pricing trends
• Assist in developing KPIs and metrics to monitor estimating accuracy and performance globally
• Participate in PCO reviews and audits to ensure quality and compliance with global standards

Working Conditions:

• The scope of this position will encompass predominantly office work in an office environment
• Travel to project sites as required (anticipated 10% or less)

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant estimating or project controls experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work effectively with cross-functional and multicultural teams
• Demonstrated experience in capital project cost estimating (industrial, construction, or engineering preferred)
• Solid understanding of financial principles, cost control, and risk management concepts
• Proficiency in data management, data evaluation, and statistical analysis fundamentals including liner regression, probability distributions, mathematical model development and Monte Carlo simulation
• Ability to quickly learn and become proficient using new software tools for estimate development, as well as evaluating and recommending new technology options for capability advancement
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including template management, advanced formulas and VBA
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort and competency training the Cost Estimating work process and Capital estimate results to colleagues at all levels and from any business segment or geography
• Proficiency with estimating methodologies and exposure to stage-gate project management processes
• Experience with enterprise project controls tools (e.g., SAP, Primavera, Aspen Capital Cost Estimator, or similar)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced software tools including PowerBi, PowerAutomate
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent technical education with relevant experience
• Project Controls-related professional certifications (e.g., PMP, AACE, CCP, CEP, or equivalent). Incumbent will be required to obtain an approved certification within the first two years of employment in this role

Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? Studies show that often applicants will self "select-out" if they don't check every box. We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. Relocation assistance is available for this opportunity.

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