Estimator

American Carton Company; Mansfield (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

American Carton Company in Mansfield, TX is seeking a on-site Estimator to analyze customer specifications, drawings and artwork to prepare accurate cost estimates for folding carton projects.

You will review job details, calculate material usage, labor and manufacturing costs, and collaborate with sales, design and production teams to ensure estimates align with customer expectations and plant capabilities.

Qualifications

• Cost estimating and analysis skills for packaging/manufacturing environments, including interpreting technical specifications and production workflows.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in spreadsheets or estimating software and attention to detail in calculations.
• Knowledge of folding carton, paperboard, or related print/packaging processes (e.g., die-cutting, coatings, embossing, foil stamping, windowing) or willingness to learn these processes.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with sales, customer service, design, and production teams and to clarify customer requirements.
• Organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple estimates, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic understanding of cost drivers such as materials, labor, machine time, and setup, with the ability to identify efficiency and cost-improvement opportunities.
• Comfort with office and ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Office, estimating or MIS tools) and the ability to learn company-specific software.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in business, engineering, printing/packaging, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer specifications, drawings, and artwork requirements to prepare accurate cost estimates.
• Review job details, calculating material usage, labor, and manufacturing costs.
• Collaborate with sales, design, and production teams to ensure estimates align with customer expectations and plant capabilities.
• Prepare quotations, update pricing models, maintain estimate records, and support order planning to optimize efficiency and profitability.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, monitor vendor pricing, and contribute to continuous improvement in estimating processes.

Skills

Cost estimating and analysis

Numerical/analytical/problem-solving

Communication and collaboration

Organizational and time-management

Cost drivers understanding

ERP systems familiarity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, printing/packaging, or related field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

MIS tools

Job description

Company Description

American Carton Company (ACC) is a women-owned, full-service folding carton manufacturer serving the DFW Metroplex since 1992. The company specializes in innovative, paperboard packaging solutions that stand out on the shelf through creative structural design, high-quality graphics, and specialty finishes such as coatings, embossing, foil stamping, and windowing. ACC's experienced team focuses on listening to customers, building strong relationships, and delivering quality products with exceptional service. The company is passionate about helping brands make a memorable first impression through packaging that enhances the end-user experience and builds trust. ACC maintains comprehensive in-house capabilities, including FDA-compliant manufacturing, advanced color reproduction, digital prototypes and 3D visualization, specialty printing and coatings, and robust supply chain protection features.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site Estimator role based in Mansfield, TX. The Estimator will analyze customer specifications, drawings, and artwork requirements to prepare accurate cost estimates for folding carton projects. Day-to-day responsibilities include reviewing job details, calculating material usage, labor, and manufacturing costs, and collaborating with sales, design, and production teams to ensure estimates align with customer expectations and plant capabilities. The role involves preparing quotations, updating pricing models, maintaining estimate records, and supporting order planning to optimize efficiency and profitability. The Estimator will also help identify cost-saving opportunities, monitor vendor pricing, and contribute to continuous improvement in estimating processes.

Qualifications

• Cost estimating and analysis skills for packaging, printing, or manufacturing environments, including the ability to interpret technical specifications and production workflows.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in spreadsheets or estimating software and attention to detail in calculations.
• Knowledge of folding carton, paperboard, or related print/packaging processes (e.g., die-cutting, coatings, embossing, foil stamping, windowing) or willingness to learn these processes.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work closely with sales, customer service, design, and production teams and to clarify customer requirements.
• Organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple estimates, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic understanding of cost drivers such as materials, labor, machine time, and setup, with the ability to identify efficiency and cost-improvement opportunities.
• Comfort with office and ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Office, estimating or MIS tools) and the ability to learn company-specific software.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in business, engineering, printing/packaging, or a related field is preferred.