Estimator

We are seeking a detail-oriented and commercially focused Estimator to join our client’s team within a specialist engineering and manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing accurate, competitive and commercially viable cost estimates for bespoke industrial chain assemblies and associated mechanical components. Working from engineering drawings, technical specifications, customer enquiries and tender documentation, you will assess project requirements and calculate the materials, labour, manufacturing processes and associated costs required to deliver each order.

Working closely with the Engineering, Production, Procurement and Sales teams, you will ensure quotations are technically sound, accurately costed and aligned with customer requirements, production capabilities and company margin targets.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estimator with a background in engineering or manufacturing to contribute directly to business growth, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Key ResponsibilitiesEstimating and Quotation Preparation

You will review customer enquiries, engineering drawings, technical specifications and tender documentation to establish the full scope and requirements of each quotation. You will interpret technical drawings and specifications to identify materials, dimensions, tolerances, component requirements and manufacturing processes.

You will prepare detailed and accurate cost estimates covering raw materials, bought-in components, labour, machining, fabrication, assembly and any additional production requirements. This will include calculating manufacturing costs and lead times, taking into account production capacity, operational requirements and supplier availability.

You will prepare formal quotations in accordance with company pricing policies, commercial guidelines and agreed profit margin targets, ensuring all quotations are clear, accurate, professionally presented and submitted within agreed customer deadlines.

You will identify any missing information, technical uncertainties or discrepancies within customer enquiries and liaise with the relevant teams to resolve them before submitting a quotation. You will also assess the commercial and operational viability of enquiries, highlighting potential risks, additional costs or unusual requirements.

Engineering and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

You will work closely with the Engineering team to clarify technical requirements, assess design considerations and confirm the feasibility of proposed solutions. Liaising with Production, you will establish realistic manufacturing methods, labour requirements, production timescales and capacity considerations.

You will collaborate with Procurement to obtain accurate material costs, supplier quotations, component pricing and delivery lead times. You will also engage with Sales and Customer Service teams to clarify customer expectations, technical requirements and commercial priorities.

You will support the evaluation of bespoke and non-standard products, ensuring estimates reflect the complexity of manufacture and any specialist processes required. Effective communication across departments will be essential to maintaining a consistent and accurate approach to costing and quotation preparation.

Commercial Awareness and Cost Control

You will ensure estimates support the company’s commercial objectives while maintaining competitive pricing and appropriate profit margins. An important part of the role will involve identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency and introduce value-engineering solutions without compromising product quality or customer specifications.

You will highlight potential cost risks, including fluctuations in raw material prices, supplier costs, labour requirements and manufacturing complexity. You will support the Sales team with tender submissions, pricing reviews, commercial proposals and customer negotiations where required.

You will review historical costing information and previous quotations to improve the accuracy and consistency of future estimates. You will also monitor quotation outcomes, including successful and unsuccessful tenders, to identify trends and opportunities to improve pricing strategies.

Where appropriate, you will assist in reviewing differences between estimated and actual costs, identifying areas where estimating methods or costing assumptions could be improved.

Systems, Data and Administration

You will maintain accurate estimating records, quotation documentation, costing information and supporting calculations. This will include keeping estimating databases, material price lists, labour rates and supplier information up to date.

You will ensure all assumptions, exclusions, lead times and commercial conditions are clearly documented within quotations. Using the company’s estimating software, ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, you will prepare, record and manage quotations efficiently.

You will maintain a well-organised quotation workload, prioritising urgent enquiries and ensuring deadlines are consistently achieved. You will also follow established company procedures for quotation approval, document control and commercial reporting.

Quality, Compliance and Continuous Improvement

You will ensure all estimates are prepared in accordance with relevant technical specifications, customer requirements, quality procedures and applicable industry standards. You will consider relevant health and safety requirements, quality expectations and production constraints when assessing manufacturing costs.

You will identify opportunities to improve estimating processes, data accuracy, turnaround times and departmental efficiency. You will also contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing costing accuracy, operational performance and customer service.

Maintaining professional knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, engineering developments and relevant industry practices will be important to your success in the role.

Skills and Experience RequiredEssential Requirements

You will have proven experience working as an Estimator within an engineering, manufacturing or industrial environment. Experience in mechanical engineering, heavy engineering or a related manufacturing setting would be particularly relevant.

You must be able to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and customer documentation accurately, alongside an understanding of manufacturing processes and the factors that influence production costs. Previous experience preparing detailed cost estimates and formal customer quotations is essential.

You will possess strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail. Commercial awareness and an understanding of pricing, cost control and profit margin requirements are also important.

You should be competent in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and confident using estimating software or ERP/MRP systems. Excellent communication skills are required, together with the ability to liaise confidently with technical, operational, procurement and commercial colleagues.

Strong organisational skills are essential, as you will need to manage multiple quotations simultaneously and meet tight deadlines without compromising accuracy or quality. A proactive approach to identifying discrepancies, resolving queries and improving estimating accuracy is also expected.

Desirable Requirements

Previous experience working with industrial chains, conveyor systems, chain assemblies or other mechanical components would be advantageous. Experience estimating bespoke or made-to-order engineering products would also be beneficial.

Knowledge of machining, fabrication, assembly and associated manufacturing processes would be useful, as would experience sourcing and costing raw materials, specialist components and subcontract manufacturing services.

Experience preparing tenders, pricing contracts, supporting commercial negotiations or analysing estimated versus actual manufacturing costs would be an advantage.

An HNC, HND or degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline would be desirable, alongside any relevant technical training or professional development within engineering, manufacturing or estimating.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance competitive customer pricing with the need to achieve profitable business results. A methodical approach to reviewing technical information and producing accurate cost calculations is essential.

You will be highly organised, with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage competing deadlines and maintain accurate records. Strong problem-solving skills will enable you to identify issues, challenge assumptions and develop practical solutions.

Excellent communication skills are required to build effective working relationships across different departments and communicate technical and commercial information clearly. You will also demonstrate a strong customer focus, with a commitment to understanding customer requirements and supporting the delivery of accurate, timely quotations.

You should be confident working independently, taking ownership of enquiries and seeking clarification when required, while maintaining a collaborative approach with Engineering, Production, Procurement and Sales. A commitment to continuous improvement and a willingness to develop your technical knowledge and estimating expertise will be important.

What the Role Offers

This position offers the opportunity to join a specialist engineering and manufacturing business where accurate estimating plays an important role in securing new business, supporting operational planning and maintaining profitability.

You will work alongside experienced technical and commercial colleagues, develop your knowledge of bespoke industrial products and contribute to the continued improvement of estimating processes and overall business performance.

How to Apply

Candidates with relevant estimating experience in engineering, manufacturing or a mechanical industrial environment are encouraged to apply.

Please submit your CV detailing your relevant experience, technical knowledge and estimating expertise.