Estimator

Chown Hardware; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Chown Hardware is seeking a Commercial Opportunity & Bid Specialist to review, qualify, and package commercial sales opportunities. You will coordinate with Sales, Engineering, Vendors, and Project Management to ensure accurate pricing and timely submissions while protecting margins and minimizing risk.

The role emphasizes bid accuracy, fast turnaround, opportunity tracking, and contributing to profitable sales growth through proactive communication and organized documentation.

Qualifications

• Must manage multiple bids with precise documentation and pricing.
• Ability to coordinate with Sales, Engineering and Leadership to clarify scope and pricing assumptions.
• Experience supporting bids, estimating, sales coordination, or customer service is strongly preferred.
• Attention to bid deadlines and alignment with pricing guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Review incoming leads and opportunities for viability, scope, and completeness.
• Coordinate with Sales, Engineering, and Leadership to clarify scope, risk, and pricing assumptions.
• Prepare accurate, timely opportunity packages for client submission.
• Track submitted opportunities and log wins/losses in company systems.
• Support handoffs to Project Management for won opportunities.

Skills

Accuracy & Attention to Detail

Time Management

Problem Solving

Communication

Organization

Customer Focus

Continuous Learning

Education

1 year experience in commercial door/hardware industry

Experience supporting bids, estimating, sales coordination, or customer service

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Commercial Opportunity & Bid Specialist is responsible for reviewing, qualifying, and packaging commercial sales opportunities for the Commercial Division. This role serves as a central coordination point between Sales, Engineering, Vendors, and Project Management to ensure opportunities are accurately priced, professionally presented, and submitted on time while meeting company margin and risk requirements.

Success in this role is measured by bid accuracy, turnaround time, internal coordination, opportunity tracking, and contribution to profitable sales growth.

• Other duties may be assigned as business needs require.

Opportunity Review & Qualification

• Review incoming leads and opportunities to determine viability, scope alignment, and completeness.
• Coordinate with Sales, Engineering, and Leadership to clarify scope, risk, and pricing assumptions.
• Target and capture opportunities from all assigned lead sources.
• Obtain vendor quotes and pricing to secure best available discounts while meeting bid deadlines.
• Confirm price-impacting details including quantities, specifications, lead times, and alternates.
• Maintain bid consistency with company pricing guidelines and margin expectations.

Opportunity Packaging & Submission

• Prepare accurate, timely, and professional opportunity packages for client submission.
• Ensure all required documents, pricing, and clarifications are included prior to submission.
• Attend pre-bid, estimator, and project meetings as required.

Tracking & Follow-Up

• Maintain organized, consistent electronic filing of bids and supporting documentation.
• Track submitted opportunities, follow up on outcomes, and log wins/losses in company systems.
• Communicate opportunity status and trends to Sales and Leadership.
• Schedule and coordinate handoff meetings for won opportunities with the assigned Project Manager.
• Provide clear scope, pricing, and assumptions to support successful project execution.
• Handle incoming customer calls and emails by actively listening and advising on suitable products and solutions.
• Maintain professional communication with vendors, clients, and internal teams.
• Establish and maintain core client accounts using company CRM or tracking systems.

Support & Development

• Provide backup support for Commercial Counter Sales as needed.
• Attend trade shows when assigned.
• Participate in in-house and manufacturer product knowledge training.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in the commercial door, hardware, or related construction industry preferred.
• Experience supporting bids, estimating, sales coordination, or customer service is strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage multiple bids with precise documentation and pricing.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize deadlines in a fast-paced, bid-driven environment.
• Problem Solving: Ability to analyze scope gaps, pricing issues, and logistical constraints.
• Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Organization: Strong document management and opportunity tracking skills.
• Customer Focus: Ability to understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing product, vendor, and industry knowledge development.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• Regular movement throughout an office environment.
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing while working at a computer.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent communication via phone, email, and messaging platforms.
• Repetitive tasks such as typing and data entry.
• Moderate noise level typical of an office environment.