A.L.P. is an international leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of lighting components and components for other technical industries. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive line of products for OEMs and the aftermarket. For proprietary projects, our unique “360° Solutions” suite of custom services enables us to collaborate with customers at every stage of a product’s life cycle. Our core commitment is to provide superior service and product performance to every customer.
A.L.P. is committed to creating value within a wide range of products. Brands include LexaLite®, Reflek®, Steel Craft and Vantex™. With manufacturing plants in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, and distribution centers strategically located throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America and South America, A.L.P. endures as an innovative supplier of feature differentiated products, processes and lighting innovations.
FUNCTION: The Estimator partners with Sales, Engineering, Tooling, and Operations to develop accurate, timely, and competitive cost estimates and customer quotations for custom injection-molded, silicone, and compression-molded components. The role owns the cost build-up across material, labor, machine time, tooling, secondary operations, and packaging, and produces the quotation package that Sales delivers to the customer.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Quotation Development
· Review and interpret customer RFQs, drawings, 3D models, specifications, and quality requirements to determine scope and feasibility.
· Build cost estimates that include resin and additive material, regrind strategy, machine tonnage and cycle time, direct labor, secondary operations (coating, metalizing, pad printing, sub-assembly), packaging, freight, scrap, and overhead.
· Develop estimates that may involve materials and processes beyond injection-molded plastics — including metals, stampings, machined components, coatings, metallizing, painting, printing, assembly, and packaged sub-assemblies — sourced internally or through qualified suppliers.
· Develop or coordinate tooling cost estimates (mold class, cavitation, action, gating, runner system, hot/cold runner) with internal tooling resources or external mold makers.
· Apply A.L.P.'s standard cost models, markup structures, and pricing policies; document assumptions clearly so reviewers can validate the math.
· Prepare professional, customer-ready quotation documents and supporting work files; maintain organized records for each estimate for later reference, win/loss review, and re-quote.
Cross-Functional Coordination
· Work directly with Sales (BBS reps, inside sales) to clarify customer intent, target pricing, volumes, and timing.
· Partner with Engineering and Technical Services on part design, manufacturability, and material selection; flag DFM concerns early.
· Coordinate with Operations and Plant Management to confirm press selection, capacity, cycle assumptions, and realistic launch timing.
· Engage with Tooling, Quality, and Purchasing as required to validate tool sourcing, inspection requirements, and resin pricing.
Continuous Improvement & Analysis
· Conduct studies to refine standard hours, machine rates, and cost factors; recommend updates to estimating standards as machines, materials, or markets change.
· Support win/loss analysis on quoted programs; feed insights back into pricing strategy and future estimates.
· Participate in Lean and continuous-improvement activities; help streamline the RFQ-to-quote cycle time without sacrificing accuracy.
Safety, Compliance & General
· Accept responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others; use safety awareness to eliminate unsafe acts and correct unsafe conditions.
· Comply with ALP quality system (ISO) requirements, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Associate's degree in engineering technology, plastics technology, manufacturing, or a related field — or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
· 1–3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably plastics, custom molding, or another build-to-print discipline.
· Basic CAD capabilities — able to open, navigate, measure, and interpret 2D drawings and 3D models (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, or equivalent viewer); able to extract features, dimensions, and tolerances needed to drive an estimate.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel in particular), and comfort learning ERP / quoting / CRM systems.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical detail into a clear, customer-ready quotation.
· Self-motivated, well-organized, and capable of managing multiple RFQs against competing deadlines.
· Demonstrated problem-solving ability and a collaborative, team-oriented working style.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor's degree in plastics engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial technology.
· Working knowledge of injection molding — process fundamentals, tooling concepts, materials behavior, cycle-time drivers, and common defects.
· Moldflow (or comparable mold-filling simulation) experience — ability to read, interpret, and act on simulation outputs in the estimating process.
· Familiarity with engineering and optical-grade thermoplastics (PMMA, polycarbonate), silicone, and compression-molded materials.
· Prior experience with cost-estimating software, ERP systems (Plex, SAP, NetSuite, or similar), CRM platforms, and PLM systems.
· Exposure to secondary operations common in custom molding — coating, metalizing, pad printing, ultrasonic welding, and assembly.
· Familiarity with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 quality systems, PPAP, and APQP.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
