Design Cost Estimator

Whittan Group; Madeley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Life assurance

Long Service Awards

Monthly STAR Awards

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Job summary

The Whittan Group, the UK’s largest manufacturer of steel storage products, is seeking a Design Engineer to join our busy, growing organisation. This role focuses on creating practical, cost-effective storage solutions that meet customer requirements while supporting strong commercial outcomes.

As part of a cross-functional team, you will prepare accurate cost estimates and Bills of Materials, follow defined processes, and collaborate with sales, operations and factory teams to ensure smooth

Qualifications

• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness in cost-driven decision making.
• Problem-solving with a practical, solution-focused approach.
• Proficient IT literacy: Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Follows defined internal processes for consistent outputs.

Responsibilities

• Develop storage solutions that are fit for purpose and commercially viable.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for system entry.
• Provide process-driven design support to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Support sales with timely, commercially aware cost information for quotations and margins.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to balance needs and feasibility.
• Identify and resolve design or costing challenges with practical solutions.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, operations and factory teams for smooth handovers.

Skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Problem solving

MS Office

Process adherence

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

The Whittan Group is the largest manufacturer of steel storage products in the United Kingdom. Operating with a number of market-leading brands, we design, manufacture and install storage solutions for commercial and industrial environments across the UK and Europe.

Design Engineer to join our busy and growing organisation. This role is focused on creating practical, cost-effective storage solutions that meet customer requirements while supporting strong commercial outcomes. The Design Cost Estimator plays a key role in enabling sales success through accurate costing, attention to detail, and a structured, process-driven approach.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is customer-focused, commercially conscious, and enjoys problem-solving within a collaborative and supportive environment. We offer structured initial training alongside ongoing coaching and development.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop storage solutions Create practical and compliant storage solutions based on customer requirements, ensuring designs are fit for purpose and commercially viable.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates Produce detailed and accurate costings and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for system entry, ensuring all components are correctly specified and priced.
• Process-driven design support Follow defined internal processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in all estimates and design outputs.
• Support commercial performance Work closely with the sales team to provide timely, commercially aware cost information that supports quotation, conversion, and margin targets.
• Customer-focused collaboration Maintain a strong customer mindset, ensuring proposed solutions balance customer needs, operational feasibility, and commercial outcomes.
• Problem solving Identify and resolve design or costing challenges, offering practical solutions while maintaining attention to detail.
• Cross-functional collaboration Collaborate with sales, operations, and factory teams to ensure smooth handovers and high levels of internal and external satisfaction.

Required experience / skills / qualifications:

Essential:

• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• Commercial awareness and understanding of cost-driven decision making
• Problem-solving skills with a practical, solution-focused approach
• Good IT literacy, including MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to work effectively within and outside of defined processes

Desirable:

• CAD experience (AutoCAD or equivalent)
• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering, or construction-related environment
• Knowledge of storage or racking systems (pallet racking, shelving, mezzanine)

Training and development:

• Structured onboarding and initial role-specific training
• Ongoing coaching and development to build technical and commercial capability
• Supportive management and collaborative team environment

Competitive

Hours

37.5

• Company pension
• Life assurance
• Long Service Awards
• Monthly STAR Awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Support from Trained Mental Health First Aiders

The Whittan Group promotes equality of opportunity and is committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly, regardless of gender or gender reassignment, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, race, colour, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.