Estimator

Printwell; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilson Estimating department seeks an Estimator to help sales staff retain repeat projects and win new ones by bridging production requirements and profitability while adopting new technologies to meet customer printing needs. The role reports to the Manager of Estimating and collaborates with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, and designers.

Responsibilities include preparing accurate cost estimates for labor and materials, interpreting customer specifications, and recommending production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Print Management or two years of experience preferred.
• Participation in a variety of professional, computer, and software training sessions within the last two years.
• Minimum of two years in Print Management.
• High expectations of self and others.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control.
• Passion for printing and graphic arts.
• Positive attitude with internal customers and external vendors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 with an emphasis on Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with above average math skills.

Responsibilities

• Calculate accurate job plan cost estimates for labor and materials for new and existing production work.
• Review and understand customer and sales supplied specifications and requirements.
• Maintain a proper balance between profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Advise on options or alternatives in materials or production methods.
• Make recommendations for upgrading standards based on technology and changes in production.
• Communicate requirements to vendors for materials and/or outside services, including schedules.
• Develop project planning estimates that best utilize equipment and manufacturing capabilities.
• Effectively communicate with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, management, and designers.
• Refer to previous job cost reports to identify improvements on future projects.
• Read and interpret information from job tickets, layouts, and press impositions.
• Ability to work cooperatively within a team in a busy, fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Print Management

Two years experience in Print Management

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Excel

Prepress knowledge

Job description

As a member of the Gilson Estimating department, the Estimator has the responsibility to help the sales staff retain repeat projects as well as win new projects, by bridging production requirements and processes for the profitability of the company, while continually exploring new technologies and adapting to meet the customer’s printing needs.

SUPERVISOR

Position reports to the Manager of Estimating.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Calculate accurate job plan cost estimates for labor and materials for new and existing production work
• Review and understand customer and sales supplied specifications and requirements
• Maintain a proper balance between profitability and customer satisfaction
• Advise on options or alternatives in materials or production methods
• Make recommendations for upgrading standards based on technology and changes in production
• Communicate requirements to vendors for materials and/or outside services, including schedules
• Develop project planning estimates that best utilize equipment and manufacturing capabilities
• Effectively communicate with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, management, and designers.
• Refer to previous job cost reports to identify improvements on future projects
• Read and interpret information from job tickets, layouts, and press impositions
• Ability to work cooperatively within a team in a busy, fast-paced environment with tight deadlines

REQUIREMENTS

To successfully perform this job, an individual must be able to fulfill each role and perform each responsibility listed above. The following qualifications are representative of the education and training, experience, knowledge, and skills required.

Education and Training Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Print Management or two years of experience preferred
• Participation in a variety of professional, computer, and software training sessions within the last two years

Experience

• Minimum of two years in Print Management
• High expectations of self and others
• Strong attention to detail and quality control
• Passion for printing and graphic arts
• Positive attitude with internal customers and external vendors

Knowledge and Aptitude

• Commercial printing equipment and capabilities
• Prepress offset and digital printing
• Large format printing
• Bindery and finishing processes
• Proper packaging requirements for multiple types of shipping options
• Printing substrates, inks, and coatings
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 with an emphasis on Excel
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with above average math skills

Skills

• Communications Skills
  • Communicate effectively with people from varied abilities, backgrounds, and cultures
  • Read, analyze, and interpret written information
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to interact face-to-face or virtually by email, phone or in online meetings
  • Deal successfully with difficult people and/or situations
• Leadership Skills
  • Self-motivated, reliable, dependable, and cooperative
  • Build effective working relationships with others
  • Prioritize project responsibilities, organize tasks, and follow tasks through to completion
  • Provide the highest results in the most efficient time frame
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously

Gilson
2000 Oak Industrial Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505