Decor Estimator

Job Summary

The Project Estimator is responsible for accurately determining the manufacturing costs of projects—including material, labor, and overhead—based on engineered and designed plans. This role ensures estimates align with overall company pricing strategy while prioritizing profitability, quality, and execution efficiency. The position relies on experience, sound judgment, and independent problem-solving to plan and accomplish project goals, with creativity and initiative expected.

Location:
This position is a remote opportunity; however, preference will be given to candidates located near Fredericksburg, VA, due to occasional travel requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop detailed material estimates to support purchasing and production requirements

• Estimate and submit new projects for internal approval

• Coordinate project details with production and shipping teams throughout various project stages

• Create and maintain sales orders within the system

• Generate production tickets to support manufacturing execution

• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external customers

• Provide problem-solving solutions using applicable building codes and product specifications

• Assist with training and development of other estimators, as needed

• Perform additional duties as assigned

• Strong communication, collaboration, and customer-focused mindset

• Proven problem-solving and analytical capabilities with a high attention to detail

• Excellent time management, reliability, and sense of urgency in deadline-driven environments

• High level of drive, accountability, and ownership

• Strong mathematical aptitude and comfort working with cost data and estimates

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and ERP systems

• 5+ years’ experience of with interior signage and graphics for retail environments

• Costing or Estimating background with emphasis on building systems. Hands on shop floor experience is preferred

• Ability to determine tools, fixtures or equipment manufactured inhouse or by vendors

• Ability to compute cost estimates based on requirements

• Prepare and outline costs associated with the production of consumer environments by analyzing blueprints and specification, compiling material costs, estimating labor costs, requesting, and collecting subcontractor pricing, calculating installation and heavy delivery cost, and lastly finding logging and submitting bids

• Ability to leverage our ERP system to drive standardization in the quoting process

• Ability to utilize understanding of color and material specifications, charts, or manuals for individual projects for cost and pricing analysis.

• Ability to liaise with Purchasing , Project Management, Production and Vendors to investigate new suppliers, learn new manufacturing methods and processes for efficient production resulting in excellent quality.

• Ability to prepare reports to illustrate quote win/loss ratios by customer

• Ability to maintain visually controlled schedule of incoming quote requests

• Ability to analyze results of job cost studies to determine accuracy of estimate

• Ability to manage quote schedules to ensure that time sensitive goals are met and there is time for Senior Management to review and adjust, if necessary, while maintaining a timely submittal.

• Ability to offer value engineering, alternative materials and manufacturing method options aimed at reducing costs for our customer.

• Ability to compile all relevant data accumulated throughout the estimating process and ensuring that through handoff to PM all information is understandable and any assumptions are conveyed

• Ability to maintain a resource base of suppliers and continue to develop and maintain knowledge base of applicable materials, sources, and processes

• Ability to provide comparable analysis with past quotes and historical production cost performance for similar projects

• Ability to develop proposed pricing from cost calculations and review proposed pricing with Management

• Accurately calculate materials required (raw, component, finished goods) for Standard & Custom Decor

• Ability to calculate labor estimate for Standard & Custom Decor using metric operations *Ability to understand large format, digital printing (art preparation, common equipment, & manufacturing processes).