Product Sales Estimator
Growth-Focused Sales & Estimating Professional | Private Equity–Backed Sustainability Company
About Next Step Energy Solutions
Next Step Energy Solutions is a private equity–backed sustainability company delivering complex, high-yield retrofit solutions at scale. With more than 515 completed projects across 100 million square feet nationwide, we partner with leading commercial real estate owners and operators to drive measurable economic and environmental returns. Our culture is built on accountability, innovation, and integrity.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Product Sales Estimator / Inside Sales professional to own our estimating work and organize lighting packages on behalf of real estate developers, general contractors, and architects across Multifamily, industrial, retail, office, healthcare, and other commercial asset classes.
The goal for this position is to help organize and drive our inside sales efforts across the Products Department. The individual will work closely with our manufacturer partners to develop quotes, coordinate pricing, create proposals, and prepare purchase orders, while also communicating directly with freight forwarders and collaborating with our internal logistics team to make sure product moves smoothly from order to delivery. They will also play an important role in helping us continue building systems and processes within the Products Department, so we're looking for someone who is highly detail-oriented, organized, and willing to take ownership. This position will work closely with the Product Sales Account Director on a day-to-day basis, and timelines are often tight, so the right person needs to move quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
What You’ll Do
Estimating, Quoting & Proposal Development
- Prepare detailed lighting product quotes, takeoffs, and pricing workbooks for client proposals
- Lead value engineering of product packages to meet customer specs and budget requirements
- Turn around quotes and purchase orders (POs) for proposals accurately and within tight client timelines
- Ensure all quotes are accurate, current, and aligned with up-to-date manufacturer pricing
Manufacturer & Vendor Relationships
- Serve as a key point of contact with lighting manufacturers and rep agencies for pricing, specs, and availability
- Maintain strong working relationships with vendor contacts to ensure competitive positioning
- Track SKUs, specifications, pricing, lead times, and manufacturer product changes
Logistics & Order Fulfillment
- Communicate directly with freight forwarders to track shipments, lead times, and delivery timelines
- Collaborate with our internal logistics team to ensure product moves smoothly from order through delivery
- Flag delays or fulfillment issues early so client timelines and proposals stay on track
Inside Sales Organization
- Help organize and bring structure to our broader inside sales efforts across the Products Department
- Serve as the primary point of contact for real estate developers, general contractors, and architects on lighting package inquiries
Drawing & Takeoff Support
- Pull product counts from e-sheets and architectural/construction drawings to support scope development
- Interpret lighting schedules and plans to identify correct product specifications per project
Product Systems & Department Growth
- Own and continuously improve the internal product database and quoting systems across lighting categories
- Identify and implement new systems/tools that support growth and scale across the Product Department
- Keep product information current as manufacturers release new lines, discontinue products, or adjust pricing
Project & Account Collaboration
- Work in close, daily collaboration with the Product Sales Account Director on active deals and priorities
- Manage the full lifecycle of value engineering projects — from inquiry through final proposal — across multiple concurrent projects
- Maintain organized project files, correspondence, and records in the company's CRM and project systems
Ideal Candidate Profile
Required
- Strong customer service background
- Experience managing key accounts
- Lighting industry experience
- Construction industry experience
- Estimating and/or crossover estimating experience
- Detail-oriented with an ownership mentality
- Based in or near the Houston area
Preferred (Not Required)
- Comfortable in spreadsheets and structured quoting workbooks
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and hit tight deadlines
- Familiarity with lighting product types, specifications, or manufacturer ecosystems
- Bachelor's degree, or equivalent hands-on industry experience
Location & Travel Requirements
Willingness to travel as needed to meet customers and manufacturer partners face-to-face. Candidates should be based in or near Houston, TX.
What We Offer
Competitive base salary of $50,000 – $60,000 annually + Benefits.
- 401(k) with company match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid holidays and vacation
- Clear career advancement opportunities
Why Join Us
At Next Step Energy Solutions, we reward performance and initiative. Top performers gain access to accelerated career growth, increased responsibility, and unlimited earning potential. If you are driven by results, passionate about sustainability, and ready to grow with a high-performing team, we encourage you to apply.
This role is an entry point into a specialized and growing segment of our business, with a clear path to expanded responsibility as the product sales practice scales.
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Sales: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
