Job Summary
We're looking for a collaborative and detail-oriented problem solver who is passionate about delivering accurate, value-driven solutions, building strong partnerships across teams, and helping Falcon Plastics win business through innovation, responsiveness, and operational excellence.
This role is responsible for preparing accurate and timely cost estimates and quotations for customers. This role analyzes product specifications, material requirements, tooling, labor, and production processes to determine pricing, support sales opportunities, and ensure profitability. The Estimator works closely with sales, engineering, production, and plant teams to develop competitive quotes, respond to customer inquiries, and help secure new business while maintaining alignment with company capabilities and objectives.
Responsibilities
- Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates and quotations for injection molded products, including materials, labor, machine time, tooling, and overhead costs.
- Review customer drawings, models, specifications, and requirements to evaluate manufacturability and determine production costs.
- Collaborate with engineering, tooling, production, supply chain, and sales teams to develop pricing strategies and ensure alignment on technical assumptions.
- Analyze cycle times, machine requirements, cavitation, process efficiencies, and other manufacturing factors to establish realistic product costing.
- Review and validate Bills of Material (BOMs), material pricing, resin selections, and outside service costs to ensure quote accuracy.
- Update pricing and support requotes based on material fluctuations, design revisions, process improvements, and changing customer requirements.
- Execute standardized quoting processes and methodologies to deliver consistent, accurate, and timely estimates.
- Provide estimating support for multiple manufacturing facilities and assist with large, complex, or strategic quote opportunities.
- Identify potential risks, assumptions, and margin considerations to develop competitive and profitable pricing recommendations.
- Participate in quote reviews and audits to ensure compliance, accuracy, and continuous improvement of estimating practices.
- Develop, refine, and maintain costing tools, models, and best practices to improve estimating efficiency, consistency, and turnaround time.
- Support strategic customer initiatives by providing timely cost analysis and preliminary budgetary estimates.
- Document estimating processes and share knowledge to strengthen organizational capabilities and standardization efforts.
- Leverage technology, automation tools, and data analysis to improve estimating accuracy, support decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3+ years of experience in estimating, quoting, manufacturing engineering, cost analysis, or a related role within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with injection molding processes, tooling, materials, and manufacturing cost structures preferred.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing concepts including cycle times, machine tonnage, cavitation, labor standards, and process efficiencies.
- Experience reviewing engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
- Proven ability to analyze costs, identify risks, and develop competitive pricing strategies.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including engineering, production, supply chain, and sales.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a high level of attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications; experience with ERP, CRM, or quoting systems preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical and financial information.
- Continuous improvement mindset with experience developing standardized processes, tools, or best practices.
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brookings, SD 57006
