JOB TITLE: Cost Estimator

LOCATION: Capewell Aerial Systems - South Windsor, CT

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY: 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.                           

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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, but not limited to, 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; working 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.

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

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

• 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 multiple tasks and provide cost estimates in a timely manner by setting priorities daily.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft products.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Team Members in this position must be a U.S. Person, as defined by U.S. export control laws.
• Team Members are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• An individual with a disability will be considered qualified for any position that the person can perform the essential function of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. All essential functions incorporated in this description may be subject to reasonable accommodation.
• EOE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or protected veteran status.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position operates in a typical office environment and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position will work primarily in an office environment with a low noise level but may occasionally have exposure to the production floor with moderate to excessive noise.
• This is a full-time, onsite position.
• The work schedule for this position is Monday through Thursday 7:30AM – 5:00PM and every other Friday 7:30AM – 4:00PM with a 30-minute lunch break.

This position/job description is for reference and guidance only and is subject to change at any time.

COMPENSATION: The hiring range for this position is $75,000 - $110,000. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. Capewell offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.