Estimator

Digital Color Concepts; Mountainside (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Color Concepts is seeking an experienced Estimator to develop accurate, timely cost estimates for wide-format, digital and offset print projects. You will evaluate specifications, materials, labor and vendor inputs to support profitable growth and exceptional customer experience.

You will collaborate with Sales, Production, Purchasing and Scheduling to ensure estimates reflect plant capacity and production realities, while continuously improving pricing processes and standardization

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of estimating experience in commercial printing, packaging or wide-format production facility.
• Strong understanding of wide-format equipment, finishing processes and substrates, offset lithography, digital printing.
• Proficiency with estimating software, MIS systems (CAI/PACE) and Excel-based cost models.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret technical specifications and translate them into accurate cost structures.

Responsibilities

• Analyze job specifications to determine the most efficient production method across wide-format, digital and offset platforms.
• Build detailed cost estimates including materials, substrates, inks, coatings, finishing, labor, machine time, outside services and freight.
• Apply company pricing strategies, margin targets, and cost-to-serve considerations to all estimates.
• Maintain and refine estimating templates, calculators and rate tables to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Evaluate alternative production paths to optimize cost, turnaround and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with Production, Sales, Purchasing and Scheduling to align estimates with capacity and customer proposals.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing, workflow efficiency and production standardization.

Skills

Estimating experience

Analytical skills

Cost modeling

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication

Tools

CAI/PACE

Excel

Job description

The Estimator is responsible for developing accurate, timely, and strategically aligned cost estimates for all wide-format, digital and offset print projects. This role evaluates specifications, production pathways, material requirements, labor assumptions and vendor inputs to produce estimates that support profitable growth, operational efficiency and exceptional customer experience. The estimator serves as a critical liaison between Sales, Production, Purchasing and Scheduling.

Duties:

• Analyze job specifications to determine the most efficient production method across wide-format, digital and offset platforms.
• Build detailed cost estimates including materials, substrates, inks, coatings, finishing, labor, machine time, outside services and freight.
• Apply company pricing strategies, margin targets, and cost‑to‑serve considerations to all estimates.
• Maintain and refine estimating templates, calculators and rate tables to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Evaluate alternative production paths to optimize cost, turnaround and manufacturability.

Technical & Production Analysis

• Interpret artwork, dielines, CAD files and customer-supplied specifications to identify production requirements.
• Assess sheet sizes, impositions, roll‑to‑sheet conversions and yield optimization for offset and wide‑format workflows.
• Collaborate with Production to validate run speeds, setup times, waste factors, and finishing constraints.
• Identify potential manufacturing risks and propose mitigation strategies.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales to clarify job requirements, recommend cost‑effective options and support customer‑facing proposals.
• Work with Purchasing to source specialty substrates, outsourced finishing and vendor‑provided services.
• Coordinate with Scheduling to ensure estimates align with plant capacity and operational realities.
• Communicate clearly and professionally across departments to ensure alignment and accuracy.

Data Integrity & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate records of estimates, revisions and final job costing for post‑production analysis.
• Participate in margin reviews and cost‑variance evaluations to refine estimating assumptions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing, workflow efficiency and production standardization.
• Stay current on industry trends, substrate innovations, equipment capabilities and competitive pricing benchmarks.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of estimating experience in commercial printing, packaging or wide‑format production facility.
• Strong understanding of wide‑format equipment, finishing processes and substrates, offset lithography, digital printing.
• Proficiency with estimating software, MIS systems (CAI/PACE) and Excel‑based cost models.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret technical specifications and translate them into accurate cost structures.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple estimates simultaneously.
• Clear, professional communication style suited for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of wide-format, digital and offset manufacturing processes.
• Analytical Precision: Ability to model costs with accuracy and consistency.
• Operational Awareness: Insight into plant capabilities, constraints and efficiencies.
• Professional Communication: Clear, structured and customer‑aligned dialogue.
• Problem Solving: Ability to propose alternative production paths and cost‑saving strategies.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines under pressure.