What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager (Sales) position at Petersen Precision Engineering, LLC?
About Petersen Precision Engineering
Located in the heart of Redwood City, Petersen Precision is a mid-sized (100 employees), ISO 9001/AS9100 certified precision machine shop with over 50 years of excellence. We specialize in high-volume, tight-tolerance components for the Medical Device, Aerospace and Defense industries. Our capabilities include Fine blank stamping, high-precision CNC Machining, Grinding, EDM and Lapping.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly organized, customer-focused Sales Operations Manager to join our team. This is a pivotal role that sits at the intersection of our customers, our internal production team, and our external sales force. You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end quoting process, ensuring that customer requirements are accurately captured and translated into competitive, profitable bids. Additionally, you will act as the primary point of contact for our external sales team, ensuring they have the tools and data needed to grow our market share. Your goal is to identify new market segments where our Fineblanking, CNC and other precision metal working process capabilities provide a competitive edge.
Key Responsibilities
- Quoting & Estimating:
- Lead the "Request for Quote" (RFQ) process, coordinating with Engineering and Production to ensure technical feasibility and accurate cost estimation.
- Analyze customer blueprints, CAD files, and specifications to generate detailed quotes for high-precision jobs (CNC, Fineblanking, Grinding, EDM, etc..).
- Review and verify material costs, outside service pricing (plating, heat treating), and labor hours to ensure competitive and accurate pricing.
- Utilize the database to track win/loss ratios and identify pricing trends for accurate quoting.
- Customer Relationship Management:
- Serve as the internal "Voice of the Customer," ensuring all inquiries and orders are handled with a high level of urgency and professionalism.
- Proactively follow up on outstanding quotes to secure orders and gather market feedback.
- Onboard new customers, ensuring all administrative and quality requirements are met before production begins.
- Sales Team Management:
- Manage and coordinate a small sales team and regional sales representatives(contactors).
- Provide sales team with regular updates on project status, lead times, and new company capabilities.
- Ensure sales teams alignment with Petersen Precision’s sales strategy.
- Sales Operations & Support:
- Maintain the sales pipeline within our ERP system (Infor Visual).
- Coordinate with the Production Planning team to provide customers with accurate lead-time estimates.
- Review sales contracts and purchase orders to ensure terms match the original quotes.
- Strategic Market Expansion & Brand Leadership:
- Analyze current shop floor capacity and proactively seek out new customers and industries that fit our specific technical capabilities.
- Identify and qualify new business opportunities through outreach, networking, and industry research.
- Own the end-to-end execution of company trade shows. Manage booth logistics, marketing materials, and technical samples that showcase our best work. ensure follow-up on all leads generated.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years in sales operations, quoting, or estimating within a precision machining or manufacturing environment.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings/blueprints. Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) is a major plus.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards and specifications a major plus (AMS and Mil specs)
- Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of managing high-stakes customer accounts (Aerospace/Medical experience preferred).
- Proficiency in MS Excel and experience using Manufacturing ERP software for quoting and order entry.
- Strong ability to manage multiple quotes and projects simultaneously in job shop environment.
- Willing to travel as required.
- Ability to work on-site at our Redwood City headquarters with mix environment of office and shop floor.
Benefits: Competitive salary, health insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.