Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Paul Vajda

Paul Vajda

BALLYMENA,Antrim

Summary

Results-driven technical and commercial professional with extensive experience across estimating, product design, quality management, and customer engagement within the construction and fenestration industry. Skilled in balancing technical precision with commercial acumen, having led tendering processes for multi-million-pound projects, and developed innovative product solutions for architects. Recognised for driving cost savings through supplier negotiations, improving processes through risk and quality analysis, and building strong client and stakeholder relationships.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work history

Estimating & Commercial Management

Aperture Glazing
Dublin
03.2024 - Current
  • Acted as key point of contact for senior stakeholders, effectively representing the team at high-level discussions.
  • Ensured financial accuracy by aligning estimated and actual project costs in collaboration with project managers.
  • Improved estimate quality by coordinating input across multiple teams and securing precise data.
  • Achieved cost savings through successful supplier negotiations, reducing overall project expenditure.
  • Minimized financial risk by conducting thorough risk analyses for potential projects.
  • Maintained accurate financial planning by regularly updating and revising cost estimates.
  • Designed and delivered CPD programmes for architects, strengthening client engagement and supporting sales growth.
  • Expanded the customer base in Northern Ireland through proactive engagement with architectural studios.
  • Enhanced brand presence by developing marketing materials, brochures, and presentations to support business development.

Senior Estimator

Clarke Facades
Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim
09.2023 - 04.2024
  • Prepared competitive tender submissions, estimates, and proposals for large-scale construction projects valued between £3m–£10m.
  • Identified and analysed value engineering opportunities, improving bid competitiveness and cost efficiency.
  • Built strong client relationships by providing clear updates on tender status throughout the process.
  • Produced accurate quantity take-offs, BOQs, and detailed unit rate build-ups to support robust pricing strategies.
  • Coordinated subcontractor, vendor, and supplier quotations, ensuring best-value selection for project bids.
  • Ensured quality and compliance through thorough drawing reviews, tender checklists, and final bid preparations.

Operations Manager

New World
Ballymena, Antrim
04.2019 - 09.2023
  • Identified process improvements by examining problem-solving strategies, contributing to more efficient organisational operations.
  • Acted as the main point of contact for all technical and product-related information, supporting multiple departments.
  • Provided technical support to Production, ensuring accurate information for order completion on the factory floor.
  • Advised the Sales team on technical aspects of orders, strengthening client confidence and order accuracy.
  • Assisted Customer Service in resolving technical complaints, improving customer satisfaction and service quality.
  • Designed bespoke product solutions based on site surveys, including drawings and cutting lists for non-standard items.
  • Oversaw new product introductions and modifications to existing designs, ensuring smooth integration into operations.
  • Implemented and maintained estimating software (Logikal) with accurate product data, improving pricing reliability.
  • Managed order entry for aluminium products, generating costs, BOM exports, cutting lists, and material orders.
  • Monitored and reported on the orders pipeline, supporting informed business and production planning.

Design Engineer

New World
Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim
09.2013 - 04.2019
  • Directed end-to-end product design for window and door systems, from concept through to manufacture.
  • Created and presented new product concepts using 3D CAD software, 3D rendering (KeyShot), and 3D printing for prototypes.
  • Estimated material and equipment costs to assess project feasibility and support decision-making.
  • Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures for the manufacture of new products.
  • Designed and engineered profiles in fibreglass (GRP) and aluminium, including fire door systems.
  • Produced and managed detailed technical manuals and installation guides to support product roll-out.
  • Worked closely with architects to co-develop tailored project solutions.
  • Ensured accuracy of Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all product lines.
  • Performed thermal analysis on window and door systems to validate performance.
  • Collaborated with the IT department to design and develop an order management software (OMS)
  • Performed thermal analysis on windows and doors
  • Experience in designing Fire door systems
  • Collaborate with IT department to develop an order management software (OMS)

Quality Auditor

New World
Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim
02.2011 - 09.2013
  • Collaborated with production and technical teams to achieve and maintain required quality standards.
  • Defined corrective actions for non-conforming products and customer complaints, driving continuous improvement.
  • Authored and issued Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.
  • Trained and coached staff to uphold exceptional company quality standards.
  • Compiled and analysed technical information, delivering clear reports with improvement recommendations.
  • Audited operational practices, proactively identifying and implementing improvements to strengthen compliance and business growth.

Spray painter

New World
Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim
05.2007 - 02.2011
  • Prepared painted and unpainted surfaces using tools such as needle guns, surface grinders, and wire wheels.
  • Set up, adjusted, and operated gravity spray guns to apply paint in line with specifications.
  • Inspected finished paintwork to ensure quality and compliance with customer and project requirements.
  • Mixed and applied paints with precise colour code verification for accuracy.
  • Created bespoke colour mixes to meet specific customer requirements and expectations.

Education

PG Cert Operations And Supply Chain Management -

Queen's University of Belfast
06.2022

PG Cert Zero Carbon Engineering -

Queen's University of Belfast
02.2022

PG Diploma in Advanced Composites and Polymers -

University of Ulster
06.2018

Associate Bachelor's Degree in Mech Engineering -

University of Ulster
06.2015

CAD Parametric Modelling Level 1,2 & 3 - Solidworks

Northern Regional College
Ballymena
09.2013

HND - Manufacturing Engineering

Northern Regional College
Ballymena
06.2011

2D CAD Level 3

Northern Regional College
Ballymena
06.2009

Skills

  • Tendering & Estimation (projects £3m–£10m)
  • Value Engineering & Cost Control
  • Product Design (Aluminium & GRP Systems)
  • Technical Support & Stakeholder Engagement
  • CPD Development & Client Training
  • Process Improvement & Quality Assurance
  • Software: Logikal, ReynaPro, Solidworks, AutoCAD
  • BOM Management & Technical Documentation

Timeline

Estimating & Commercial Management

Aperture Glazing
03.2024 - Current

Senior Estimator

Clarke Facades
09.2023 - 04.2024

Operations Manager

New World
04.2019 - 09.2023

Design Engineer

New World
09.2013 - 04.2019

Quality Auditor

New World
02.2011 - 09.2013

Spray painter

New World
05.2007 - 02.2011

PG Cert Operations And Supply Chain Management -

Queen's University of Belfast

PG Cert Zero Carbon Engineering -

Queen's University of Belfast

PG Diploma in Advanced Composites and Polymers -

University of Ulster

Associate Bachelor's Degree in Mech Engineering -

University of Ulster

CAD Parametric Modelling Level 1,2 & 3 - Solidworks

Northern Regional College

HND - Manufacturing Engineering

Northern Regional College

2D CAD Level 3

Northern Regional College

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Paul Vajda