Job Description
Role: Quantity Surveyor
Salary: £45,000 basic + £5,000 car allowance + overtime
Location: Preston or Manchester (with regular site working across the North West)
Sector: Rail & Civil Engineering – Tier 1 Contractor
About the Company
Our client is a Tier 1 rail and civil engineering contractor delivering design & build, reactive and emergency works across the UK rail infrastructure network. Operating on multiple long-term frameworks, the business works closely with Network Rail and major clients across rail and civils.
The company has grown significantly over recent years while maintaining excellent staff retention and a strong internal culture. A large proportion of the senior commercial and leadership team have progressed internally from site-based and assistant-level roles, reflecting a business that genuinely supports development, training and long-term career progression.
About the Role
The Quantity Surveyor will support the commercial delivery of multiple rail and civil engineering projects across the North West, working closely with site teams, operational managers and senior commercial staff.
This role is well suited to an experienced Assistant Quantity Surveyor or early-career QS who is ready to step up and take on more responsibility. Practical experience, a strong work ethic and willingness to learn are far more important than formal qualifications or years served.
Working from site offices as well as the Preston or Manchester bases, the role will involve pricing works, compiling labour, plant and material requirements, producing estimates and supporting the fast-paced commercial demands of reactive and planned Network Rail works.
This is a hands-on, delivery-focused QS role with genuine exposure to live infrastructure projects and the opportunity to learn from a long-standing, experienced commercial team.
Key Responsibilities
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Support the commercial management of rail and civil engineering projects
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Produce accurate estimates for labour, plant and materials
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Assist with pricing works across reactive, planned and emergency frameworks
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Work closely with site and operational teams to understand scope and delivery requirements
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Support cost control, valuations and commercial reporting
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Assist with final accounts and subcontractor management where required
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Maintain accurate records and commercial documentation
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Attend site regularly and work from site offices as required
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Support the commercial team across multiple projects and workstreams
What They’re Looking For
Essential:
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Experience in a Quantity Surveyor or Assistant Quantity Surveyor role within civil engineering
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Strong site-based experience and confidence working from site environments
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Practical, hands-on approach with a “boots on the ground” mindset
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Strong Excel skills and confidence producing estimates quickly and accurately
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Proactive, organised and able to use own initiative
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Keen to learn, develop and progress within a growing commercial team
Desirable (but not essential):
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Rail or Network Rail framework experience
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Background from site, labouring or operational roles
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Exposure to reactive or fast-paced project environments
Note: This role places far more value on attitude, commitment and practical ability than formal qualifications or years served. Candidates from site-based or trade backgrounds are strongly encouraged.
Location & Working Pattern
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Based from Preston or Manchester offices
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Regular site-based working across projects in and around the North West
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Standard hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
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Optional weekend overtime available (rare for QS roles) - This company will pay for you to do your tockets if this is of interest, meaning you can become a multi-skilled worker working actual shifts on the Railway on weekends.
Package & Progression
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£45,000 basic salary
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£5,000 car allowance
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Paid overtime available
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Company pension and employee benefits
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Training, tickets and certifications provided
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Opportunity to become multi-skilled across rail and civils
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Clear long-term progression within a business known for internal development
Ganymede is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
