Project Specialist

About the role

FERPA is actively expanding its presence in aerospace, space, energy, and high-performance sealing markets. We are seeking a customer-focused, detail-oriented professional to manage customer relationships, prepare quotations, coordinate projects, and support business development initiatives involving precision machined components and engineered thermoplastic products.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer accounts, building and maintaining strong relationships with engineers, buyers, planners, and other key customer contacts.
• Manage customer projects from RFQ receipt through final shipment, ensuring customer requirements, timelines, and expectations are met.
• Review customer drawings, specifications, material requirements, and quality requirements to prepare accurate and competitive quotations.
• Cook with programmers, production personnel, suppliers, and subcontractors to develop manufacturing plans, obtain pricing, assess feasibility, and support quote development.
• Estimate material costs, procure materials, and coordinate outside processing services including passivation, plating, coating, etching, heat treating, and other subcontracted operations.
• Maintain regular communication with customers regarding quotations, order status, lead times, delivery schedules, and project updates.
• Support production scheduling and order management activities to help ensure on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Follow up on open quotations and identify opportunities to convert RFQs into orders.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing customer accounts and support new business development initiatives.
• Maintain accurate customer, project, and quotation records within company software systems.
• Support supplier onboarding, customer onboarding, vendor registrations, and capability presentations as required.
• Maintain a professional LinkedIn presence and participate in digital outreach activities to promote FERPA's capabilities, increase industry visibility, drive website traffic, and support lead generation efforts.
• Promote FERPA's capabilities in precision machining, engineered thermoplastics, sealing products, aerospace, space, energy, and industrial markets

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and the ability to learn ERP/MRP systems and quoting software.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple inquiries in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

• Experience with Paperless Parts, ERP/MRP systems, manufacturing estimating software, or similar digital quoting platforms.
• Experience in customer service, inside sales, account management, estimating, project coordination, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience in precision machining, CNC manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, metal fabrication, or a related industrial environment.
• Experience preparing quotations, estimating costs, purchasing materials, and coordinating outside processing services.
• Familiarity with engineered sealing products and high-performance thermoplastics, including thermoplastic backup rings, spring-energized seals, and related precision-machined components.
• Familiarity with high-performance sealing materials such as PEEK, PTFE, Delrin®, Vespel®, and other engineered polymers used in aerospace, energy, industrial, and fluid sealing applications.
• Familiarity with aerospace, space, and high-performance metallic materials used in mission-critical components and assemblies, including aluminum alloys, stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, copper-based alloys, and specialty materials such as 15-5PH, 17-4PH, A286, Inconel® 625, MP35N, Aluminum Nickel Bronze (C63020), and Copper Nickel Tin (C72900).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, and customer quality requirements.
• Familiarity with AS9100D, ISO 9001, and/or ITAR-regulated environments.

Benefits

• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources