Sales (Estimator)

R.E. Thompson & Co. Ltd; Basingstoke and Deane; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Life Assurance

Business mileage allowance

Company laptop and mobile phone provided

On-site parking

Job summary

R.E. Thompson & Co. Ltd is seeking a Sales Estimator for its commercial team in Basingstoke. The role involves preparing detailed manufacturing quotations for precision components and working closely with customers and engineers.

Ideal candidates will have experience in estimating and a strong technical understanding. A competitive salary of £35,000 – £45,000 per annum is offered, along with additional perks like a pension scheme and business mileage allowances.

Qualifications

• Experience in estimating, quoting, or technical sales within manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and competitive manufacturing quotations for precision components.
• Liaise with customers to understand their needs.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to assess production methods.

Skills

Estimating

Technical sales

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Customer focus

Education

HNC/HND or degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP/MRP systems (ideally Epicor)

Job description

We are seeking a Sales Estimator to join our commercial team. In this role, you will prepare accurate manufacturing quotations and liaise with customers and engineers to understand their requirements.

You’ll play a crucial role in winning profitable contracts for precision components and building lasting client relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with technical understanding who enjoys customer interaction and wants to be at the heart of our commercial success.

£35,000 – £45,000 per annum (depending on experience)

About Us

R E Thompson is a leading precision aerospace engineering company with over 75 years of experience providing complete manufacturing solutions.

Operating from our advanced facilities in Hampshire, we are home to the UK’s most sophisticated automated 5-axis machine shop. Our state‑of‑the‑art Flexible Manufacturing System enables 24/7 lights‑out production, and we hold AS9100, ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 certifications.

We work with prestigious clients including GE Aviation, BAE Systems, and Ontic, delivering complex precision components for the aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics industries.

• Prepare accurate and competitive manufacturing quotations for precision components
• Analyse customer drawings and specifications to determine manufacturing requirements
• Liaise with customers to understand their needs and build strong relationships
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to assess production methods and costs
• Calculate material costs, machine time, and labour requirements
• Negotiate pricing and terms with customers
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and quoting systems
• Follow up on quotations and support the sales pipeline
• Identify opportunities for new business and account growth
• Support contract review and order processing

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in estimating, quoting, or technical sales within manufacturing
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Detail‑oriented with strong organisational skills
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple quotations
• Customer‑focused approach with commercial awareness
• Experience in aerospace or precision engineering sector
• Understanding of CNC machining processes
• Knowledge of manufacturing costs and pricing strategies
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (ideally Epicor)
• HNC/HND or degree in engineering or related field

We Offer

• Competitive salary as advertised
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Life Assurance
• Bike2Work Scheme
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Business mileage allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone provided
• On‑site parking at our modern facility
• Team building events

Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the UK to be considered, as we will not be sponsoring visas for this role.