Cost Estimator

Smurfit-Westrock; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary

Comprehensive training & development

Global packaging company culture

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Cost Estimator to develop complete and accurate project cost estimates using proprietary tools and external data. You will collaborate with Sales, Project Management, and manufacturing to prepare quotes and optimize production plans.

The role requires strong math, Excel skills, and clear communication. You will contribute to process improvements, ensure timely delivery of estimates, and support customer-facing pricing efforts.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal, written, and virtual communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or 2–4 years of estimating experience.
• Experience in the manufacturing industry is a plus.
• Must be able to use basic algebra and geometry to calculate figures and amounts.
• Competent with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Provide complete and accurate component/material estimates within specified timeframes.
• Use SWRMD proprietary software and external vendor data for cost estimation.
• Identify standard items and standard costs; assist in developing sell prices.
• Prepare and submit large quotes to customers.
• Examine production plans and determine material costs (raw, consumables, outsourced).
• Create reports and deliver presentations clearly to internal customers.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Virtual communication

Math skills (algebra/geometry)

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Area of Focus:

The Cost Estimator will provide complete and accurate component/material estimates within the specified time frame using SWRMD proprietary and estimation software and outside vendors’ information. You will use approved sources for outside items and utilizing the vendor pricing matrix to identify cost for components, where available, consult with manufacturing staff to determine best method to produce components internally, and develop, maintain, and share database of sources for outsourced components.

You will identify standard items and the proper standard cost for those items, assist Sales and Project Management in developing sell prices, if applicable, and respond to large requests for Pricing from customers; develop and follow methodology for preparing and submitting large quotes to customers.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Accurately estimates the costs associated with specific projects.
• Actively participate in new technology introductions and/or implementations.
• Communicate as required with internal customers to assist in meeting their needs.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with cross functional counterparts to complete orders, improve processes, and enhance company performance.
• Clearly exchanges thoughts, ideas and messages through written, verbal, and non-verbal methods that promote an understanding with the target audience.
• Creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers engaging presentations, shares information and ideas with others in a timely manner. Listens carefully and attentively.
• Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, continuously looks for improvements, finds root cause of problems, owns/acts on problems, seeks opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Customer Focus for both internal and external customers, builds customer confidence, is committed to increasing customer satisfaction, sets achievable customer expectations, assumes responsibility for solving customer problems, ensures commitments to customers are met in a timely manner, solicits opinions and ideas from customers.
• Understands the specifications including the end use. If the specs do not conform to the end use, review this with the salesperson to propose appropriate alternatives.
• Makes logical tentative assumptions and states clearly in writing what they are.
• Inform sales that the estimated cost will change if the final specs turn out to be different.
• Creates and records the best possible production plan that can be used later by the suppliers' production planner, including the in-house machines and procedures, and any outside suppliers, prices and production times.
• Evaluates each production step in the plan, then assigns production times and budgeted hourly rates.
• Determines the cost of all raw materials required to do the job (e.g, paper, tooling, etc.).
• Determines the cost of all consumable materials required for the job (e.g., plate material).
• Determines the cost of all outsourced production required to do the job (e.g., foil stamping).
• Compares estimate to actual cost for completed work and is alert to trends in production efficiencies when comparing estimate to actual costs.
• Review and verify production standards.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or 2- 4 years previous industry or estimating experience.
• Experience in the manufacturing industry is a plus.
• Excellent verbal, written, and virtual communication skills.
• Microsoft office suite including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Must be able to use basic algebra and geometry to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportion, percentages, area, circumference and volume.
• Must be competent in computer skills including electronic mail, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.
• Must be able to maintain good attendance.
• Must be reliable and dependable.

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on safety, loyalty and respect
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety and inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.