Cost Estimator

General Purpose

Evaluate the financial impact on the company for potential orders, accurately predicting the cost of each project.

Essential Job Functions

• Accurately predicts the cost of each Project.
• Understands the specifications including the end use.
• If the specs do not conform to the end use, review this with the salesperson to propose appropriate alternatives.
• Makes logical tentative assumptions and states clearly in writing what they are.
• Inform sales that the estimated cost will change if the final specs turn out to be different.
• Creates and records the best possible production plan that can be used later by the suppliers' production planner, including the in-house machines and procedures, and any outside suppliers, prices and production times.
• Evaluates each production step in the plan, then assigns production times and budgeted hourly rates.
• Determines the cost of all raw materials required to do the job (e.g, paper, tooling, etc.).
• Determines the cost of all consumable materials required for the job (e.g., plate material).
• Determines the cost of all outsourced production required to do the job (e.g., foil stamping).
• Presents all estimates in writing with clear specifications.
• Refines specifications as needed, looking for ways to tailor the job to best fit the equipment and materials available.
• Calculates alternate possibilities to compare savings.
• Sets up the cost of required material to ensure availability or proposes comparable alternates.
• Estimates costs for changes in job specifications if significantly different from original estimate.
• Calculates the cost for custom alterations.
• Helps sales assess bids lost to competitors and determine reason(s) for the loss (e.g., lack of appropriate equipment, budgeted hourly rates too high, production rates too slow, not enough time to produce the job, profit margin higher than appropriate for the work).
• Compares estimate to actual cost for completed work and is alert to trends in production efficiencies when comparing estimate to actual costs.
• Reviews and verifies production standards.

Qualifications

• Associates's degree in Business Administration, Packaging, Accounting, or other related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience, is required.
• Must have minimum two years' related experience.
• Must be able to use basic algebra and geometry to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportion, percentages, area, circumference and volume.
• Must be competent in computer skills including electronic mail, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.
• Must be able to maintain good attendance.
• Must pass color vision and color hue tests.
• Must be reliable and dependable.
• Must be able to perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands

• Sit, stand, talk, see, hear and be mobile.
• Bend/Stoop: X
• Kneel: X
• Reach above shoulder level: X
• Use hands/fingers to handle/feel: X
• Repetitive operations: X

Job Description Review

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of the position. Incumbents may be required to perform other job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.