Project Development Manager

Position Title: Project Development Manager - Sales & Estimating

Company: Platform 1 Inc.

Department: Operations

Reports To: Senior Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Project Development Manager - Sales & Estimating is responsible for leading the development of technical and commercial solutions for warehouse storage, racking, and automated material handling projects throughout North America. This role requires a heavily weighted background in engineering to effectively drive project development, oversee the estimating function, coordinate engineering resources, and lead on-site execution.

The ideal candidate possesses strong technical authority, an assertive and confident personality, and the strong presence required to take control of job sites, direct field teams, and handle demanding, high-pressure interactions with customers, tradespeople, and contractors.

About the Company

Our client is a global leader in the design and manufacture of industrial storage and material handling solutions, delivering innovative systems that help organizations optimize their warehouse operations, logistics, and supply chain performance.

As part of a well-established international group, the company specializes in the engineering and manufacturing of automated warehouse systems, pallet racking, shelving systems, and vertical storage solutions. Its products are trusted by system integrators, distributors, and industrial organizations worldwide to maximize storage capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support complex material handling requirements.

With a strong engineering foundation, the company provides end-to-end project support, including system design, engineering, estimating, manufacturing coordination, and on-site installation services. Backed by a global network of manufacturing facilities and technical experts, it delivers customized storage solutions across a wide range of industries throughout North America and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

Job-Site Leadership & Client Relations

• Serve as the primary, authoritative technical voice on job sites, managing direct interactions with customers, tradespeople, contractors, and demanding clients.
• Provide educated and informed technical opinions, make decisive on-site decisions, and direct operational and trade teams effectively.
• Take full control of challenging site situations with a confident, assertive, and strong leadership presence.

Engineering & Design Coordination

• Coordinate engineering activities throughout the project development lifecycle.
• Support structural modelling, engineering calculations, and design reviews using RSTAB, RFEM, Tekla, BIM software, AutoCAD, and related engineering applications.
• Ensure compliance with applicable North American building codes, engineering standards, and customer specifications.
• Coordinate architectural reviews, including HPSR requirements, egress planning, ladders, and related technical documentation.
• Establish engineering documentation standards and best practices across the organization.

Sales & Estimating Leadership

• Lead the preparation of budgetary, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), and detailed project estimates.
• Review layouts, Bills of Materials (BOMs), production drawings, pricing models, and proposal documentation.
• Coordinate engineering resources required to support estimating activities.
• Perform cost analyses, ROI evaluations, and margin reviews to improve project profitability.
• Evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate pricing to maximize value and maintain competitive project costs.
• Develop and continuously improve estimating standards, templates, and workflows.

Project Development & Business Support

• Lead the development of new warehouse storage and automated material handling projects from RFQ through proposal submission.
• Collaborate with Sales to define customer requirements and develop innovative, cost-effective technical solutions.
• Review customer specifications, drawings, and project requirements to ensure complete and competitive proposals.

• Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during customer meetings, presentations, and proposal reviews.
• Develop value-engineered solutions that improve project competitiveness while maintaining quality and performance.

BIM & Technical Innovation

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes.
• Oversee the production and quality of 3D models, installation drawings, and technical documentation.
• Promote continuous improvement in engineering workflows, drawing standards, and digital project delivery.

Project & Supplier Coordination

• Oversee project documentation, schedules, budgets, and technical deliverables across the project lifecycle.
• Identify project risks during proposal and planning stages and execute effective mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with domestic and international suppliers, coordinating manufacturing requirements and international shipments.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineering Designation (P.Eng.) is strictly required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Heavy emphasis on engineering experience and technical qualifications over pure project management background.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in engineering design/coordination, estimating, or industrial construction.
• Proven, assertive job-site leadership experience dealing directly with demanding clients, contractors, and site trades.
• Experience with warehouse storage systems, structural steel, automated material handling systems, or industrial construction.
• Proficiency with RSTAB, RFEM, Tekla, AutoCAD, BIM software, or equivalent engineering applications.

Core Competencies

• Strong, Assertive Leadership & Site Control
• Heavy Engineering Focus & Technical Authority
• Confident Client & Contractor Management
• Cost Estimating & Financial Analysis
• Engineering Coordination & BIM Leadership
• Decisive Decision-Making under Pressure
• Risk Management & Negotiation

Working Conditions

This position involves office-based technical work along with regular travel to job sites, customer locations, and project facilities across North America. Candidates must be comfortable working directly in high-activity field and job-site environments.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: Up to $115,000 annually (based on experience)

Bonus: Eligible for a performance-based bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive group benefits program
• Paid vacation
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Performance bonus eligibility

Compliance & Equity Statement

This posting reflects a current employment opportunity. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, family status, or any other protected ground under applicable provincial and federal human rights legislation.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Act, accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to notify the recruiter so appropriate arrangements can be made.

The salary range listed in this posting represents the expected compensation for this position based on market conditions and internal considerations. Final compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role requirements.

The recruitment process may include interviews, reference checks, and verification of relevant qualifications or experience. All personal information collected during the recruitment process will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and employment legislation.

Any tools used in the recruitment process are applied in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada.