Estimator

IROQUOIS INDUSTRIAL GROUP

Job Description – Estimator

Company: Great Lakes Woodworking (GLW Detroit)

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Department: Estimating / Operations

Reports To: General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt (subject to classification review)

Position Summary

Great Lakes Woodworking (GLW Detroit), a portfolio company of Iroquois Industrial Group, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Estimator to support its custom architectural millwork, commercial casework, and retail fixture manufacturing operations.

The Estimator will be responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and profitable project estimates by analyzing architectural drawings, specifications, material requirements, labor hours, manufacturing processes, and installation requirements.

This position plays a critical role in GLW's commercial success by ensuring projects are properly scoped, competitively priced, and aligned with the company's production capabilities and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in architectural millwork, custom cabinetry, retail environments, or commercial woodworking, with a strong understanding of manufacturing costs, project execution, and margin management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Estimating & Cost Development

• Review architectural drawings, shop drawings, specifications, bid packages, and requests for quotation (RFQs).

• Develop comprehensive estimates covering materials, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, subcontractors, freight, and installation.

• Perform detailed material takeoffs for wood, laminates, veneers, hardware, solid surfaces, and specialty components.

• Estimate labor requirements across cutting, machining, fabrication, assembly, finishing, packaging, and installation.

• Evaluate project complexity, production requirements, lead times, and capacity constraints.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities through alternative materials, construction methods, and manufacturing processes.

• Establish accurate project costs and recommend selling prices consistent with company margin targets.

2. Bid Management & Proposal Development

• Prepare professional, detailed, and competitive customer quotations.

• Manage multiple estimates simultaneously while meeting customer submission deadlines.

• Review bid documentation to identify exclusions, assumptions, risks, and scope gaps.

• Coordinate with sales, project management, engineering, purchasing, and operations to validate estimates.

• Develop and maintain standardized estimating templates, cost models, and quotation procedures.

• Support customer negotiations by providing cost breakdowns and evaluating proposed scope changes.

• Track submitted quotations, revisions, awarded projects, and lost opportunities.

3. Manufacturing & Operational Coordination

• Collaborate with production leadership to validate manufacturing methods, labor standards, and available capacity.

• Understand GLW's manufacturing equipment, CNC capabilities, finishing processes, and assembly operations.

• Evaluate make-versus-buy decisions to optimize cost, quality, and lead times.

• Work with purchasing to obtain current supplier pricing and subcontractor quotations.

• Identify projects requiring specialized tooling, engineering, outsourced processes, or additional capital expenditures.

• Participate in project handoff meetings to ensure awarded projects transition effectively into engineering and production.

4. Cost Accuracy & Profitability Management

• Maintain accurate material pricing, labor rates, overhead assumptions, and subcontractor costs.

• Partner with Finance and Operations to compare estimated costs against actual project performance.

• Analyze estimating variances and identify opportunities to improve future quotation accuracy.

• Monitor gross margin performance on awarded projects.

• Support the development of standardized labor-hour assumptions by product category and manufacturing process.

• Identify and communicate financial and operational risks before project acceptance.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on estimating accuracy, project profitability, and operational efficiency.

5. Customer & Project Support

• Work directly with customers, general contractors, architects, and internal sales representatives to clarify project requirements.

• Assist with value engineering and alternative design recommendations.

• Support change-order pricing and scope revisions throughout project execution.

• Maintain organized records of quotations, specifications, drawings, revisions, and customer correspondence.

• Build strong working relationships with internal departments and external customers.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in architectural millwork, commercial casework, custom cabinetry, retail fixtures, or related manufacturing.

• Strong ability to interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings, and detailed manufacturing specifications.

• Demonstrated experience developing material takeoffs and labor estimates.

• Working knowledge of woodworking materials, hardware, fabrication methods, CNC machining, and finishing processes.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and estimating software.

• Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, project-driven manufacturing environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing costs, gross margins, and project profitability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience estimating multi-location retail rollout programs and national retail fixture projects.

• Familiarity with AWI architectural woodwork standards.

• Experience with Microvellum, Innergy, Cabinet Vision, or comparable millwork software.

• Experience with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or other drawing review and takeoff applications.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and job-costing processes.

• Understanding of commercial installation requirements, logistics, and subcontractor management.

• Experience developing estimating standards and improving quotation processes.

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field.

Core Competencies

• Financial Acumen: Understands how estimating decisions impact project profitability and company performance.

• Technical Expertise: Possesses strong knowledge of custom millwork manufacturing and installation requirements.

• Attention to Detail: Identifies scope gaps, drawing conflicts, and cost risks before quotations are submitted.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of estimate quality, accuracy, and timely completion.

• Collaboration: Works effectively with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Production, and Project Management.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively improves estimating methodologies, cost databases, and operational processes.

• Customer Focus: Balances competitive pricing with customer requirements and sustainable profitability.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Primarily office-based at GLW Detroit, with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor.

• Occasional customer meetings, jobsite visits, and supplier visits may be required.

• Must be comfortable working in a manufacturing environment and adhering to all applicable safety procedures.

• Expected to maintain confidentiality regarding customer pricing, proprietary manufacturing processes, and company financial information.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Great Lakes Woodworking and Iroquois Industrial Group are equal opportunity employers. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

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Great Lakes Woodworking | An Iroquois Industrial Group Company