Estimating Manager

THE RECRUITMENT ORCHARD; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

THE RECRUITMENT ORCHARD in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Estimator to join our integrated creative production business, specialising in large-format print, retail graphics, POS, exhibitions and logistics.

You will own estimating processes, pricing strategies, ratecards and templates, collaborating with Client Services, Production and Operations to protect margins and drive efficiency, including AI-enabled estimating and MIS improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in estimating within print/large-format/POS or related production.
• Strong knowledge of materials, production processes and margins.
• Experience with tenders or supplier costing is advantageous.
• Tharstern experience and data-driven approach is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Producing accurate estimates across print, POS, display, finishing, installation, logistics and third-party services.
• Costing complex, bespoke and high-value projects, tenders and RFPs.
• Developing and maintaining ratecards, pricing matrices and estimating templates.
• Collaborating with Client Services, Production and Operations to protect costs and margins.
• Analysing estimate vs actual performance and identifying opportunities to reduce leakage.
• Developing and improving Tharstern MIS estimating processes and workflows.
• Helping introduce greater automation and AI-enabled estimating.

Skills

Estimating experience

Print/large-format

Pricing & margins

Analytical mindset

AI-enabled estimating

Thorough costing

Tools

Tharstern MIS

Job description

Our client is an integrated creative production business specialising in large-format print, retail graphics, POS, exhibitions, installations and logistics, working with major brands and agency partners.

We’re looking for an experienced Estimator to join their team at an exciting time of commercial and operational transformation.

This is more than a traditional estimating role. You’ll take ownership of implementing process and strategy for estimating, job costing and pricing, while helping to build smarter, more consistent and commercially robust ways of working

What you’ll be doing

• Producing accurate estimates across print, POS, display, finishing, installation, logistics and third-party services
• Costing complex, bespoke and high-value projects, tenders and RFPs
• Developing and maintaining ratecards, pricing matrices and estimating templates
• Working closely with Client Services, Production and Operations to ensure costs and margins are protected
• Analysing estimate vs actual performance and identifying opportunities to reduce margin leakage
• Developing and improving Tharstern MIS estimating processes and workflows
• Helping introduce greater automation, efficiency and AI-enabled estimating

What we’re looking for

• Strong estimating experience within print, large-format, POS, display or a related production environment
• Good knowledge of print production, materials and manufacturing processes
• Strong commercial and numerical skills, with an understanding of margin, mark-up and pricing
• Excellent attention to detail and the confidence to challenge assumptions
• Experience with complex projects, tenders or supplier costing would be advantageous
• Tharstern experience and knowledge of large-format/POS production would be a bonus

We’re looking for someone who is commercially minded, technically credible, analytical and process-driven, with a genuine interest in using technology to improve traditional estimating processes.

This is a great opportunity to estimate today’s work while helping build a better way of estimating tomorrow’s.