Planner/Estimator, Packaging

Quad/Graphics; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Quad/Graphics is seeking a Planner/Estimator to support planning, estimating, and execution of custom packaging and display projects. You will turn customer concepts into efficient, manufacturable solutions by developing accurate cost estimates, production plans, and manufacturing routings.

You will work across folding cartons, structural packaging, POP displays, corrugated packaging, labels, and other packaging solutions, collaborating with Sales, Customer Experience, Structural Design,

Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience in estimating, production planning, manufacturing, packaging, printing, converting, or a related industry.
• Experience estimating or planning products such as structural packaging, retail displays, folding cartons, corrugated packaging, labels, flexible packaging, or similar converted products.
• Working knowledge of packaging manufacturing methods and materials, including substrates, printing processes, die cutting, folding/gluing, laminating, finishing, and converting operations.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate project specifications into accurate costs and practical manufacturing plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience working with ERP, MIS, estimating, or production planning systems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across commercial, technical, and manufacturing teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate and competitive cost estimates for packaging, displays, and related solutions based on customer specifications, materials, labor, equipment, and manufacturing processes.
• Review customer specifications, structural designs, artwork, dielines, and project requirements to assess manufacturing feasibility and recommend cost-effective production solutions.
• Develop production plans and manufacturing routings that optimize efficiency, capacity, quality, cost, and profitability.
• Estimate projects involving folding cartons, corrugated packaging, labels, retail and POP displays, and other custom packaging solutions.
• Partner with Structural Design, Sales, Customer Experience, Production, Purchasing, Scheduling, and Operations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate substrates, materials, finishing options, converting methods, and manufacturing processes to identify the best combination of quality, performance, and cost.
• Create and maintain bills of materials (BOMs), manufacturing routings, labor standards, and related ERP/MIS system information.
• Coordinate material requirements with Purchasing to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Compare estimated costs and production assumptions with actual manufacturing performance to improve estimating accuracy.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, control costs, and increase profitability.
• Support new product introductions, customer quotations, and project planning activities.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and information within company business systems.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Follow all company safety, quality, environmental, and compliance requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Packaging knowledge

Cost estimation

Manufacturing planning

Analytical skills

ERP/MIS experience

Excel proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing/Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related

Tools

ERP/MIS systems

Excel

Production planning software

Job description

As a global marketing experience company, Quad’s goal is to help our clients win every day. We use our data-driven integrated marketing and manufacturing platform to streamline solutions for our clients, reduce friction and enhance their marketing spend effectiveness. We’ve built a rich legacy by believing in our people, allowing them to act like owners and to take charge of their own success. Whether an operator, sales rep, a graphic artist or a clinician, we’re all driven to perform at our best- for ourselves and our clients. At our core, we’re a company that believes we can always create a better way.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Planner/Estimator to support the planning, estimating, and execution of custom packaging and display projects. In this role, you will help turn customer concepts and specifications into efficient, manufacturable solutions by developing accurate cost estimates, production plans, and manufacturing routings.

You will work across a diverse range of products, including folding cartons, structural packaging, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, corrugated packaging, labels, and other custom packaging solutions.

This is a highly collaborative role that partners closely with Sales, Customer Experience, Structural Design, Purchasing, Scheduling, and Manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with hands-on knowledge of packaging, printing, converting, and manufacturing processes and understands how to balance customer requirements with cost, quality, capacity, and operational efficiency.

What You'll Do:

• Develop accurate and competitive cost estimates for packaging, displays, and related solutions based on customer specifications, materials, labor, equipment, and manufacturing processes.
• Review customer specifications, structural designs, artwork, dielines, and project requirements to assess manufacturing feasibility and recommend cost-effective production solutions.
• Develop production plans and manufacturing routings that optimize efficiency, capacity, quality, cost, and profitability.
• Estimate projects involving folding cartons, corrugated packaging, labels, retail and POP displays, and other custom packaging solutions.
• Partner with Structural Design, Sales, Customer Experience, Production, Purchasing, Scheduling, and Operations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate substrates, materials, finishing options, converting methods, and manufacturing processes to identify the best combination of quality, performance, and cost.
• Create and maintain bills of materials (BOMs), manufacturing routings, labor standards, and related ERP/MIS system information.
• Coordinate material requirements with Purchasing to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Compare estimated costs and production assumptions with actual manufacturing performance to improve estimating accuracy.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, control costs, and increase profitability.
• Support new product introductions, customer quotations, and project planning activities.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and information within company business systems.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Follow all company safety, quality, environmental, and compliance requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring:

Education:

• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Business, Supply Chain, Packaging, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related discipline is a plus.

Experience:

• Three or more years of experience in estimating, production planning, manufacturing, packaging, printing, converting, or a related industry.
• Experience estimating or planning products such as structural packaging, retail displays, folding cartons, corrugated packaging, labels, flexible packaging, or similar converted products.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of packaging manufacturing methods and materials, including substrates, printing processes, die cutting, folding/gluing, laminating, finishing, and converting operations.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate project specifications into accurate costs and practical manufacturing plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience working with ERP, MIS, estimating, or production planning systems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across commercial, technical, and manufacturing teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality, and continuous improvement.

Why This Role Matters:

The Planner/Estimator plays an important role in the success of every project—from the initial customer request through production. By combining estimating expertise, manufacturing knowledge, and cross-functional collaboration, you will help ensure we deliver packaging solutions that meet customer expectations while supporting efficient operations, competitive costs, and profitable growth.

If you enjoy solving manufacturing challenges, working across teams, and finding smarter ways to turn packaging concepts into production-ready solutions, we'd like to hear from you.

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We offer comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement savings, paid time off, holidays and additional benefits.

Quad is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a place of belonging - a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace. Quad does not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Quad also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.

Drug-Free Workplace