ESTIMATOR & CONTRACTOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Sliters Lumber & Building Supply; Bigfork (MT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local building supply company in Bigfork, Montana is seeking an Estimator to manage residential and commercial material takeoffs. This role involves collaborating closely with sales teams and contractors, creating estimates, and enhancing customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have an Associate's Degree or equivalent experience, with strong communication and sales skills. This position involves understanding blueprints, building codes, and maintaining positive customer relationships.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• 6 months to 1 year experience in a related field.
• Intermediate knowledge of building codes and wood framing process.

Responsibilities

• Prepare material takeoffs and create estimates for projects.
• Communicate with builders and customers professionally.
• Collaborate with sales associates for customer service.
• Generate and review estimates with clients.
• Achieve sales goals while maintaining margins.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Blueprint reading

Problem-solving

Sales skills

Technical knowledge of building materials

Education

Associate's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Takeoff software

Job description

Overview

The Estimator is responsible for residential and commercial material takeoffs. The Estimator reviews plans and specifications relative to the schedule and scope of work, and works closely with salespeople to coordinate construction projects and paperwork. Follow up responsibilities encompass typical Contractor Sales responsibilities and will include serving contractor and DIY customers with their complex projects, identifying potential contractor customers, building positive relationships with contractors and DIY customers, and creating customer loyalty through your prompt, friendly and courteous service. Your wide range of lumber and building materials product and inventory knowledge and construction practice knowledge ensures contractors and DIY customers order everything they need to complete their entire project, promoting high levels of customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Preparing material takeoffs, including using computer for blueprint takeoffs and creating and quoting material estimates for projects that do not require blueprint takeoffs.
• Communicating professionally and cordially with professional builders as well as owner builders.
• Communicating and collaborating with other sales associates in service of our customers.
• Generating and communicating estimates, reviewing estimates with clients to validate assumptions and reduce potential errors.
• Communicating and collaborating with management on lead pipeline, workload, and upcoming deadlines.
• Quoting and selling lumber and building materials supplies for regular and special orders, following up on outstanding quotes and estimates to earn business.
• Sourcing special orders and other activities that enhance the customer\'s experience.
• Achieving predetermined sales goals at an acceptable margin.
• Scheduling deliveries in accordance with our customer service standards and logistics expectations.
• Promptly invoicing received special orders.
• Making outbound calls to customers and prospects and reporting weekly via a contact report.
• Sharing information about sale and promotional items with customers.
• Directing customers to the proper pick up area in the yard.
• Advising customers on proper materials, their usage, and techniques, especially to DIY customers.
• Handling customer complaints, reaching resolution promptly, processing returns and claims.
• Reviewing manufacturer literature, trade and professional journals and share information with customers.
• Demonstrating the use of merchandise when requested.
• Regularly evaluating accounts for revenue and profitability.
• Updating and maintaining accurate account information, customer and job details, and contact information available to management and support teams.
• Assisting with answering phones, stocking merchandise, store housekeeping and other requests.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Required or Desired Skills

• Associate\'s Degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or 6 months to 1 year of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of building codes, UL assembly, wood framing process preferred.
• Ability to use technology to read blueprints and perform material takeoffs.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Excellent listening and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to approach customers and offer assistance to solve customer’s project problems
• Safely operate power equipment, if required.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate Sliters operating schedule that may include weekend shifts.
• Ability to maintain and grow customer base through prospecting, development, quoting & follow-up
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office including intermediate excel skills and email, and takeoff software

Success factors

• Overall sales activity, average ticket size (total sales divided by total number of transactions)
• Gross margin on sales
• Special order sales and margin less returns or rework