Estimator (Metal Fabrication)

Sheet Metal Fabrication Estimator

CR Metal Products, Inc.
Location: St. Louis, MO 63132
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

CR Metal Products, Inc. is seeking an experienced Sheet Metal Fabrication Estimator to prepare accurate and competitive estimates for custom sheet metal and fabricated metal projects.

The Estimator will review customer drawings, specifications, and RFQs; determine material, labor, machine, outside-processing, and other manufacturing costs; and prepare quotes using Global Shop Solutions ERP.

This position works closely with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production to ensure estimates accurately reflect the manufacturing processes, materials, lead times, and costs required to produce each job.

Key Responsibilities

• Review customer RFQs, drawings, blueprints, CAD files, specifications, and related documentation.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and customer quotations for sheet metal and fabricated metal products.
• Enter and maintain estimating, routing, material, and job information in Global Shop Solutions.
• Develop manufacturing routings and determine the operations required to produce each part.
• Calculate material requirements, including sheet sizes, material utilization, scrap, and expected yield.
• Estimate labor and machine time for fabrication operations, including:
• Laser cutting
• Punching
• Shearing
• Press brake forming
• Welding
• Grinding and finishing
• Hardware insertion
• Assembly
• Packaging
• Powder Coating
• Silk Screen

Obtain and incorporate costs for outside services such as plating, painting, heat treating, machining, and other subcontracted operations.

• Evaluate material pricing and work with Purchasing to obtain current vendor pricing when necessary.
• Determine appropriate labor rates, machine rates, setup times, run times, overhead, and other costs used in quotations.
• Review historical jobs and actual production costs in Global Shop Solutions to improve the accuracy of future estimates.
• Compare estimated costs to actual job performance and identify significant cost variances.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs through alternative materials, processes, tooling, nesting, or production methods.
• Work with Production and Engineering to confirm manufacturability and determine the most efficient production method.
• Identify missing information, drawing discrepancies, tolerance concerns, or manufacturing issues before a quote is submitted.
• Communicate with Sales regarding pricing, lead times, customer requirements, and questions that need clarification.
• Maintain accurate estimating records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with revisions and requotes when customer quantities, drawings, materials, or specifications change.
• Prioritize multiple RFQs and meet customer quotation deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Experience estimating in a sheet metal fabrication or metal manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of sheet metal fabrication processes and manufacturing methods.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, tolerances, weld symbols, and manufacturing specifications.
• Experience calculating material, labor, machine, setup, outside-processing, and manufacturing costs.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, vendors, Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.

Global Shop Solutions Experience

Experience using Global Shop Solutions ERP is preferred.

Candidates with strong sheet metal estimating experience and experience with a comparable manufacturing ERP system may also be considered.

Preferred Experience

• Custom or contract sheet metal fabrication
• Laser cutting and CNC punching
• Press brake forming
• MIG and TIG welding
• Stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, galvanized steel, and other sheet metal materials
• Powder coating, plating, painting, and other finishing processes
• Production routing and job costing
• ERP-based estimating
• High-mix, custom manufacturing environments

Skills and Attributes

The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable making sound estimating decisions based on drawings and manufacturing requirements. The position requires an understanding of not only what a part costs, but also how the part will actually be manufactured on the shop floor.

The Estimator should be able to balance accuracy, competitiveness, manufacturability, and profitability when preparing quotations.

About CR Metal Products, Inc.

CR Metal Products, Inc. is a metal fabrication manufacturer located in the St. Louis County area. We are looking for an Estimator who can contribute to accurate quoting, effective production planning, and profitable manufacturing while supporting our commitment to quality and customer service.

CR Metal Products, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: $24.00 - $34.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Have you prepared estimates that include material, labor, machine time, setup time, and outside processing costs?
• Have you been terminated due to attendance in the past 7 years?

Experience:

• Fabrication Estimation: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $34