Cost Estimator

Department: Sales / Estimating

VP of Sales or Designated Manager

Peterson Spring Manufacturing Facility

The Cost Estimator is responsible for reviewing customer requests for quotation (RFQs), analyzing product and manufacturing requirements, and developing accurate, competitive cost estimates and pricing proposals for new and existing business opportunities.

This role works closely with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, and Plant Operations to evaluate customer drawings, specifications, material requirements, manufacturing processes, tooling, labor, and outside processing costs. The Cost Estimator will help ensure that quotations are technically feasible, commercially competitive, and aligned with Peterson Spring's manufacturing capabilities and profitability objectives.

The ideal candidate has experience in a manufacturing environment, strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to evaluate costs across multiple production facilities and product lines.

1. RFQ Review and Cost Estimating

• Review incoming RFQs, customer drawings, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze product requirements to determine material, labor, tooling, equipment, and manufacturing costs.
• Develop accurate cost estimates for precision springs, retaining rings, wire forms, stampings, clips, clamps, and assemblies.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes, production volumes, cycle times, scrap rates, and operational requirements.
• Identify potential cost risks, missing information, and opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Operations to validate manufacturing feasibility and estimated production costs.
• Prepare detailed cost breakdowns and pricing recommendations for Sales review.
• Maintain accurate records of quotations, assumptions, costing models, and supporting documentation.

2. Material and Supplier Cost Analysis

• Work with Procurement to establish and maintain current raw material pricing.
• Develop and maintain material cost indexes and pricing references to support consistent estimating across facilities.
• Analyze material specifications, usage rates, scrap factors, and yield assumptions.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier pricing for tooling, components, and outside processing.
• Maintain an approved supplier list and outside-processing price index in coordination with Procurement.
• Monitor material price fluctuations and update estimating assumptions as needed.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material costs and improve overall product profitability.

3. Manufacturing Cost Analysis

• Evaluate manufacturing requirements across Peterson Spring's production facilities.
• Collaborate with Plant Operations and Engineering to determine appropriate manufacturing methods and production locations.
• Analyze labor rates, machine rates, setup times, cycle times, production capacity, and expected efficiencies.
• Review tooling, fixtures, gages, automation, and capital equipment requirements for new business.
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing equipment, processes, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations and assess the cost impact of outsourcing operations.
• Help establish standardized costing assumptions and estimating methods across facilities.

4. Quotation Development and Sales Support

• Partner with Sales to establish competitive pricing for new business opportunities and customer RFQs.
• Provide timely cost estimates to support customer quotation deadlines.
• Communicate key cost drivers, assumptions, risks, and commercial considerations to Sales.
• Support pricing reviews and help evaluate opportunities against established margin and profitability targets.
• Assist with customer pricing updates…