Cost Estimator

Peterson Spring; Three Rivers (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Peterson Spring Manufacturing Facility in Michigan seeks a Cost Estimator to review RFQs, analyze customer drawings and requirements, and develop accurate cost estimates for springs and related parts.

The role partners with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Plant Operations to ensure quotations are technically feasible, competitively priced, and aligned with profitability targets. Strong analytical skills and experience in manufacturing cost estimation are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost estimating, manufacturing, quoting, pricing analysis, or a related role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Review RFQs, customer drawings, specifications, and documentation to estimate costs.
• Analyze material, labor, tooling, and outside processing costs for accuracy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Operations to ensure feasible quotes.

Skills

Cost estimating

Analytical skills

Reading engineering drawings

Communication

Multi-site costing

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related

Tools

ERP systems

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Reports To: VP of Sales or Designated Manager

Location: Peterson Spring Manufacturing Facility

Position Summary

The Cost Estimator is responsible for reviewing customer requests for quotation (RFQs), analyzing product and manufacturing requirements, and developing accurate, competitive cost estimates and pricing proposals for new and existing business opportunities.

This role works closely with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Plant Operations to evaluate customer drawings, specifications, material requirements, manufacturing processes, tooling, labor, and outside processing costs. The Cost Estimator will help ensure that quotations are technically feasible, commercially competitive, and aligned with Peterson Spring's manufacturing capabilities and profitability objectives.

The ideal candidate has experience in a manufacturing environment, strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to evaluate costs across multiple production facilities and product lines.

Key Responsibilities

1. RFQ Review and Cost Estimating

• Review incoming RFQs, customer drawings, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze product requirements to determine material, labor, tooling, equipment, and manufacturing costs.
• Develop accurate cost estimates for precision springs, retaining rings, wire forms, stampings, clips, clamps, and assemblies.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes, production volumes, cycle times, scrap rates, and operational requirements.
• Identify potential cost risks, missing information, and opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Operations to validate manufacturing feasibility and estimated production costs.
• Prepare detailed cost breakdowns and pricing recommendations for Sales review.
• Maintain accurate records of quotations, assumptions, costing models, and supporting documentation.

2. Material and Supplier Cost Analysis

• Work with Procurement to establish and maintain current raw material pricing.
• Develop and maintain material cost indexes and pricing references to support consistent estimating across facilities.
• Analyze material specifications, usage rates, scrap factors, and yield assumptions.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier pricing for tooling, components, and outside processing.
• Maintain an approved supplier list and outside-processing price index in coordination with Procurement.
• Monitor material price fluctuations and update estimating assumptions as needed.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material costs and improve overall product profitability.

3. Manufacturing Cost Analysis

• Evaluate manufacturing requirements across Peterson Spring's production facilities.
• Collaborate with Plant Operations and Engineering to determine appropriate manufacturing methods and production locations.
• Analyze labor rates, machine rates, setup times, cycle times, production capacity, and expected efficiencies.
• Review tooling, fixtures, gages, automation, and capital equipment requirements for new business.
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing equipment, processes, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations and assess the cost impact of outsourcing operations.
• Help establish standardized costing assumptions and estimating methods across facilities.

4. Quotation Development and Sales Support

• Partner with Sales to establish competitive pricing for new business opportunities and customer RFQs.
• Provide timely cost estimates to support customer quotation deadlines.
• Communicate key cost drivers, assumptions, risks, and commercial considerations to Sales.
• Support pricing reviews and help evaluate opportunities against established margin and profitability targets.
• Assist with customer pricing updates related to material changes, process changes, and other cost drivers.
• Provide historical cost and pricing data to support negotiations and strategic customer discussions.
• Help prioritize RFQs based on customer requirements, business opportunity, manufacturing feasibility, and available resources.

5. Costing Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain standardized estimating tools, spreadsheets, databases, and costing templates.
• Establish a centralized repository for historical quotations, material costs, labor rates, machine rates, and outside-processing costs.
• Improve the accuracy and consistency of estimating methods across Peterson Spring facilities.
• Compare estimated costs against actual production costs when data is available.
• Investigate significant variances and recommend improvements to costing assumptions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline the RFQ process and reduce quotation turnaround time.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, operational efficiency, and profitability.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Plant Operations throughout the quotation process.
• Coordinate technical reviews when customer requirements require additional engineering or operational input.
• Ensure that tooling, capital investment, quality requirements, testing, packaging, and outside processing are appropriately considered in estimates.
• Communicate potential risks or missing information before quotations are finalized.
• Support the transition of awarded business from quotation through launch by providing relevant costing assumptions and documentation.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in cost estimating, manufacturing, quoting, pricing analysis, or a related role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple RFQs and competing deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across Sales, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations.

Preferred

• Experience in automotive, metalworking, precision manufacturing, or industrial manufacturing.
• Knowledge of springs, retaining rings, wire forms, stampings, metal components, or assemblies.
• Experience estimating manufacturing costs, including material, labor, tooling, machine time, scrap, and outside processing.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, production cycle times, and machine capabilities.
• Experience with ERP systems, quoting software, or manufacturing cost models.
• Understanding of PPAP, APQP, tooling requirements, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Experience supporting multi-plant manufacturing operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be evaluated based on the following measures:

• Quotation Turnaround Time: Ability to complete estimates within established deadlines.
• Cost Estimate Accuracy: Alignment between estimated costs and actual production costs where comparable data is available.
• RFQ Completion Rate: Percentage of assigned RFQs completed within required timeframes.
• Pricing and Profitability Support: Effectiveness in providing accurate cost data to support established margin targets.
• Costing Database Accuracy: Timely maintenance of material, labor, machine, tooling, and outside-processing cost information.
• Cross-Functional Responsiveness: Effectiveness in coordinating with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Contributions to improved estimating accuracy, reduced turnaround time, and more efficient quoting processes.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree or bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent practical manufacturing experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of relevant experience in manufacturing estimating, cost analysis, quoting, or a related function preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Position Expectations

The Cost Estimator is expected to help establish a consistent, data-driven approach to quoting throughout Peterson Spring. This individual will play an important role in improving quotation speed, increasing cost visibility, supporting profitable new business growth, and creating standardized costing resources that can be used across the company's manufacturing facilities.

Success in this position requires a balance of analytical accuracy, manufacturing knowledge, responsiveness, and collaboration with the teams responsible for winning and producing new business.