Cost Estimator - South Windsor, CT

Job Title and Location

JOB TITLE:

Cost Estimator

LOCATION:

Capewell Aerial Systems - South Windsor, CT

Chief Financial Officer

The Cost Estimator is responsible for gathering and analyzing information to prepare correct and accurate cost estimates for projects and product offerings. This person will identify and understand project requirements, determine key variables, conduct research, and check on offers from vendors and subcontractors, while maintaining relationships with key vendors. The Cost Estimator will work closely with sales, engineering, and production to develop and identify all aspects needed to reasonably capture all costs associated with manufacturing any new or existing products in order to meet the scope of work defined by the customer.

• Develop estimates for RFQs, proposals, price lists, strategic opportunities, and business case analyses
• Develop an estimating plan including, but not limited to: identification of estimating method, cost data required, and risks associated with each method and data source
• Conduct cost analyses, including analytics of material, labor, and indirect costs, to identify opportunities for reduction and associated business risks
• Establish a product costing template to support effective and accurate costing of product quotations
• Understand all costs associated with materials, including stock/inventory availability, escalation, CPI, PPI, exchange rate, freight charges, etc.
• Fully understand overhead and direct labor rates by department and by location. Assist with modeling costs for new business opportunities.
• Understand pricing methodologies to maximize gross margin.
• Review monthly product variances and suggest pricing and/or changes to standard cost with the goal of preserving and increasing gross margins.
• Investigate job order variances; work with applicable personnel to update item masters as necessary.
• Participate in controlling Bill of Material set-up as it relates to costs.
• Review blueprints and product specifications to accurately determine the quantities of materials needed that are not already organized within the MRP system.
• Solicit and review subcontractor proposals based on requirements stated within the request or government solicitation.
• Document total materials needed, including detail regarding those requirements, vendors used, and contact information necessary to process orders received from this quotation.
• Maintain a safe and clean work area.
• Work cooperatively with other employees to meet department and company goals.
• This position requires personal protective equipment on the shop floor where safety glasses and composite toe safety shoes are required by all.

Perform additional duties as directed by supervisors or management to support departmental and organizational objectives.

• Bachelor s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of Cost Estimating or Pricing experience required.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing shop environment, preferably a job shop with frequent job changes.
• Familiarity with government work, including reading and interpreting contracts and government solicitations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; able to understand mechanical processes, concerns, and tooling risks (e.g., awareness of potential tool breakage).
• Must be able to read and understand blueprints and job specifications to accurately identify cost factors for pricing and preparing quotes.
• Must be able to analyze project requirements to accurately estimate costs for each component required.
• Must be proficient in Math.
• Experience using ERP systems such as Visual, Epicor, or SAP; ability to perform cost estimates in Excel if needed.
• Must have very high attention to detail.
• Must be extremely flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Jack of all trades mindset with the ability to adapt to varying situations and challenges.
• Able to communicate efficiently, clearly, and effectively with various departments, suppliers, and other parties.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the confidence to push back in discussions when necessary (e.g., advising when a job may not be cost-effective).
• Able to juggle…