Production Estimator

Inland-4; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Inland Packaging in La Crosse, WI seeks a Production Estimator to perform estimating, quoting and cost analysis for label and packaging lines. The role collaborates with Sales and Operations to align manufacturing capabilities with market pricing and ensures margin integrity.

The position emphasizes building partnerships, understanding production methods, and maintaining accurate estimates to support profitability. Strong analytical and communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• Functional understanding of costing and finance concepts.
• Willingness to learn, adapt to change, and take on additional duties.
• Trustworthy and upholds the standards of confidentiality.
• Ability to develop productive relationships and communicate effectively with management, peers, plant personnel, suppliers and customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and comfortable learning new technology and programs.
• Strong problem-solving and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost estimates to produce quotes and bids for Inland’s label and packaging product lines.
• Ensure estimates are prepared consistently in accordance with established estimating standards.
• Communicates with estimators and operations to understand capabilities and impacts of new label design on the business.
• Collaborates with Sales to understand opportunities and ensure quote accuracy while supporting sales strategy.
• Develops understanding of Inland’s product types, production methods, and operational challenges to identify risks and opportunities.
• Participates in development and updating policies and SOPs for estimating and quoting.
• Assists Costing/Estimating and FP&A teams in audits, what-if analyses, and quote vs actual analyses.

Skills

Costing concepts

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Financial modeling

Problem solving

Microsoft Excel

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field

Tools

ERP systems

MIS systems

Microsoft Suite

AI in projects

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Regular Full-Time Professional La Crosse, WI, US

Salary Range: $55,000.00 To $70,000.00 Annually

What We Do At Inland

Join our dynamic team at Inland Packaging, a leading local label and packaging manufacturer. We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Production Estimator to be part of our growing family. As a global supplier, Inland proudly produces 25 billion labels annually for renowned brands such as Kraft Heinz, New Glarus Brewing, Purina, AriZona, Coors Light, and many more.

At Inland, we are a family-owned business committed to innovation and excellence. We invest in state-of-the-art technology and offer comprehensive on-the-job training, ensuring endless opportunities for career advancement.

Job Summary:

The Production Estimator will be responsible for performing Estimating, Quoting and Cost Analysis processes for Inland’s label and packaging product lines. This position will also work closely with fellow estimating staff to cross‑train on all product types to provide back‑up support wherever necessary. A strong relationship with both Sales and Operations will be critical in order to maintain an understanding of manufacturing capabilities as well as an understanding of market‑based pricing to assist in evaluating estimates. This role is critically important to Inland’s overall profitability as it is responsible for estimated costs and calculated margin, that in turn have direct impact on sell price.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Prepare cost estimates to produce quotes and bids for Inland’s label and packaging product lines.
• Ensure estimates are prepared consistently in accordance with established estimating standards
• Communicates on a recurring basis with other estimators, and members of operations to understand manufacturing capabilities and impacts of new label design on the business.
• Communicates on a recurring basis with other estimators, and Sales to understand details of given opportunities to ensure accuracy of quote assumptions while supporting sales strategy.
• Obtain and maintain working understanding of Inland’s product types, production methods, and operational challenges in order to better identify risks and opportunities for the business.
• Participate in development and updating policies and SOPs for the estimating and quoting process.
• Assists Costing/Estimating and FP&A teams in completing audits, win/loss, what if, and quote vs actual analysis to make improvement in strategy/accuracy of quote process in the future.

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
  • Developing and leveraging relationships within and across work groups, as well as outside the organization, to achieve results.
• Earning Trust
  • Gaining others’ confidence by acting with integrity and following through on commitments while disclosing own positions; treating others and their ideas with respect and supporting them in the face of challenges.
• Driving for Results
  • Setting high goals for personal accomplishment that align with organizational projects and expected outcomes; tenaciously working to meet or exceed goals while deriving satisfaction for that achievement and continuous improvement.

Essential skills and experience:

• Functional understanding of costing and finance concepts.
• Willingness to learn, adapt to change, and take on additional duties and tasks
• Trustworthy and upholds the standards of confidentiality
• Ability to develop productive relationships and communicate effectively with management, peers, plant personnel, suppliers and customers
• High level of interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and comfortable learning new technology and programs
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to make independent judgements
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Nonessential skills and experience:

• Previous experience in an estimating, analysis, finance or similar applicable position
• Knowledge of the printing and/or packaging industries
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field
• Strong analytical, research and financial modeling skills
• Knowledge of multiple label printing technologies including but not limited to gravure, offset, flexographic and digital
• Advanced experience working with ERP and/or MIS systems as well as adapting to use AI in project and task work

Operates in a demanding, fast‑paced, people‑oriented manufacturing environment with frequent changes and interruptions, and multiple project assignments. Works with a variety of people including vendors, customers, employees, managers, and executives.

Required Work Schedule:

• Typically works a 40+ work week during standard business hours.
• Must be flexible to attend conference calls, meetings, and other functions as they are scheduled.
• Must also be available during off hours, weekends, and holidays to meet organizational initiatives.
• Travel upwards of 4 times per year

Physical Requirements:

Walk, sit, bend, stoop, push, pull and stand; lift 20 pounds; 20/40 vision acuity.