Estimator, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineer

Estimator, Nefab Packaging West

Nefab Group is on a growth journey, and we are dependent on high-performance people to succeed. Our Estimator function in our organization is vital for us to deliver custom packaging solutions to our customers.

As Estimator you will be responsible for end-to-end estimation and costing process.

You will be working with the Regional Supply Chain Director, the Estimator is responsible to develop and maintain manufacturing standards and provide timely and accurate quotes to the selling organization. The Estimator will own and continuously improve the end-to-end estimation and costing process for manufacturing/packaging operations to ensure accurate pricing, protect margins, enable faster ROI on sales, and strengthen execution readiness—particularly for low-volume, high-mix projects.

This role integrates process engineering inputs (routing, labour standards, machine time, and layout concepts) into a robust costing methodology that supports both commercial decision-making and initial production planning.

This position is located in Newark, CA, and you will report to the director of Supply Chain and Quality.

Salary: $85,000-$90,000 annually

• Estimate Creation & Costing
• Prepare accurate cost estimates using the ERP system, Excel and product builders.
• Convert engineered drawings/designs into detailed BOMs for custom packaging solutions.
• Calculate material, labor, machine/work center, equipment, and overhead costs to determine pricing.
• Deliver estimates within tight timelines to support quotations, proposals, and project execution.
• ERP & Product Builder Management
• Use the ERP system to create, manage, and track estimates and costing.
• Develop and maintain product builders for standardized components and faster estimating.
• Update and improve the costing template to reflect all required cost elements.
• BOM, Layout & Routing Development
• Analyze drawings and prepare accurate BOMs with material specs, quantities, and process details.
• Create labor estimates through routing, process by process, for costing and initial production planning.
• Estimate machine run hours, standard running times, and work center costs during the design stage.
• Prepare material layouts and die layouts at the estimation phase for use during production.
• Sourcing & Should-Cost Coordination
• Work closely with local sourcing teams to ensure current material pricing and availability.
• Develop and maintain should-cost models for traded materials to improve turnaround on multi-material solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with design, engineering, finance, production, sourcing, and sales teams.
• Ensure estimates align with production capability, cost control, customer needs, and sales ROI expectations.
• Process Improvement & Reporting
• Continuously improve estimating, BOM creation, ERP usage, and builder efficiency.
• Strengthen costing accuracy to avoid under pricing and support faster business decisions.
• Prepare monthly reports on:
• Estimation accuracy
• Lead time
• Costing performance trends

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent work experience).

• 2+ years of experience in estimating, preferably in a manufacturing environment for customizable product.
• Proficiency in using ERP systems for estimating and product configuration is required.

• Fluent in English, both written and verbal

• To act in a professional and ethical manner at all times
• To maintain a positive work environment and recognize that this is a shared responsibility and includes recognition, respect, co-operation and open communication

• Strong experience in ERP systems and product builders.
• Proficiency in should-cost modelling and cost analysis.
• Strong manufacturing background: time studies, production flow, machine set up costs
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and other estimating tools.
• Experience in creating and managing Bills of Materials (BOMs) from engineered drawings and designs.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to analyse technical drawings, calculate costs, and develop efficient cost models.
• Communication:
  Strong written and…