Sales Estimator

Major Recruitment; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Major Recruitment is working with an established precision engineering business in Nottingham to recruit an Estimator to join its commercial team. This office-based role requires a strong understanding of CNC milling and turning to assess manufacturing requirements and produce accurate, commercially competitive quotations.

Experience in estimating or quotations is beneficial, with a solid grasp of manufacturing costs and processes.

Qualifications

• Experience with CNC-machined components, including milling and turning.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems or similar business software.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Review customer enquiries, drawings and specs to establish suitable manufacturing methods, costs and delivery requirements.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, engineering, production and purchasing to ensure accurate, competitive quotations.
• Review enquiries and delivery requirements to assess costs and methods.
• Assess CNC-milled and turned components, understanding manufacturing methods and costs.
• Determine manufacturing processes, material needs, machining times and estimated costs.
• Negotiate pricing with subcontractors for additional processes when needed.
• Prepare clear, accurate, commercially competitive quotations.
• Follow up quotations and maintain customer records and sales pipeline data.
• Coordinate with engineering, production and purchasing to confirm capability, costs and capacity.
• Respond to customer queries and communicate changes promptly.
• Maintain records of conversations with customers and suppliers in the ERP system.
• Review quotation outcomes and contribute to improving estimating accuracy and conversion rates.

Skills

CNC milling

CNC turning

Cost estimation

Reading drawings

ERP/MRP systems

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Customer communication

Office/Excel

Project prioritisation

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Major Recruitment is working with an established precision engineering business in Nottingham to recruit an Estimator to join its commercial team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong understanding of CNC machining, particularly milled and turned components, who can assess manufacturing requirements and produce accurate, commercially competitive quotations. We're keen to hear from experienced Technical Estimators, but also from CNC machinists, setters, programmers and engineers who understand the manufacturing process and are looking to move into an office-based commercial role.

Responsibilities

• You'll be responsible for reviewing customer enquiries, engineering drawings and specifications to establish the most suitable manufacturing methods, costs and delivery requirements.
• Working closely with customers, suppliers, engineering, production and purchasing teams, you'll ensure quotations are accurate, competitive and commercially viable.
• Review customer enquiries, engineering drawings, specifications and delivery requirements.
• Assess CNC-milled and turned components, with a solid understanding of their manufacturing methods and associated costs.
• Determine suitable manufacturing processes, material requirements, machining times and estimated costs.
• Obtain and negotiate pricing with subcontractors for additional manufacturing processes where required.
• Prepare clear, accurate and commercially competitive quotations.
• Follow up on quotations and maintain customer records, pricing information and sales pipeline data.
• Work closely with engineering, production and purchasing teams to confirm manufacturing capability, costs and capacity.
• Respond professionally to customer queries and communicate changes promptly.
• Maintain accurate records of conversations with customers and suppliers on the company ERP system.
• Review quotation outcomes and contribute to improving estimating accuracy, competitiveness and conversion rates.

Required Skills

• We're looking for someone who understands how precision‑machined components are manufactured and can apply that knowledge to estimating costs accurately.
• You'll ideally have:
• Experience working with CNC‑machined components, including milling and turning.
• A strong understanding of machining methods, manufacturing processes and associated costs.
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Good numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Confident communication skills when dealing with customers, suppliers and internal teams.
• Competence using Microsoft Office and business systems, including ERP or MRP systems where applicable.
• A professional, reliable and collaborative approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Previous estimating or quotation experience would be beneficial, but a strong CNC machining background and a demonstrable understanding of manufacturing costs are essential.

Preferred Skills

• Previous estimating or quotation experience would be beneficial, but a strong CNC machining background and a demonstrable understanding of manufacturing costs are essential.