Estimator

ABOUT US

At Springfield Tool & Die, we believe that how we treat people is the foundation of everything else. We genuinely care about the members of this team -- we invest in them, we serve them, we remove obstacles from their path, and we hold each other accountable in a way that is honest, respectful, and aimed at helping everyone succeed.

We are a growing machining company in Duncan, SC, specializing in the design and manufacture of industrial fixtures and precision machined components. We run a diverse equipment lineup -- Okuma, Haas, Devlieg, Lucas, Alpha, and Clausing machines -- and we are on a deliberate path to modernize a storied job shop with a 100-year history. Deep technical knowledge runs through everything we do, and we pair it with an ownership mindset: everyone here takes pride in what they build and how they build it.

If you want to be the engine that drives new work through the door -- building fast, competitive, accurate quotes that win business and protect margin -- this is your opportunity.

THE ROLE

The Estimator owns the quoting process from first RFQ to final price. You will price materials, labor, purchased components, and outside processing; manage and grow our vendor network; and drive continuous improvement in how we estimate. This role demands both technical depth and a relentless ownership mindset.

This is not an order-taking role. We are looking for someone who digs into the details, challenges cost assumptions, builds better systems, and gets quotes out the door within 48 business hours -- without sacrificing accuracy. You will work closely with our Sales, Engineering, and Operations teams and have the full support of leadership to make this function excellent.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

Quoting & Pricing

•    Produce complete, accurate quotes within a 48-business-hour target turnaround -- covering materials, labor, purchased items, and outside processing (heat treat, plating, grinding, etc.)

•    Read and interpret blueprints, specs, and RFQs to identify scope, tolerances, materials, and process requirements; collaborate with production to confirm feasibility and cycle times

•    Work with Design and Operations to develop creative solutions that meet customer needs

•    Own the full quote lifecycle: track RFQ intake, quote status, and win/loss outcomes; follow up to understand why we won or lost and feed that back into pricing

•    Track win/loss outcomes by customer, job type, and competitor to identify pricing patterns — and use that data to sharpen our rates, close gaps, and drive measurable improvement in win rate over time

Cost Optimization

•    Source and price raw materials competitively; identify, qualify, and develop vendor relationships for purchased components and outside processing services

•    Optimize cost structure on every quote -- challenge make-vs-buy decisions, identify lower-cost material substitutes, and leverage vendor competition to protect margin

•    Intelligently manage cost inputs so every quote reflects our true cost and a price that wins work without leaving money on the table

Vendor Development

•    Build and maintain a strong network of vendors for outside processing, raw materials, and purchased components

•    Identify new vendors that expand our capability, reduce lead time, or improve cost competitiveness

•    Negotiate terms and pricing that give us an edge; hold vendors accountable to quality and delivery commitments

Process Improvement

•    Standardize estimating templates and build reusable cost libraries that make every subsequent quote faster and more consistent

•    Reduce quote cycle time and rework without sacrificing accuracy -- always looking for a better, faster, more consistent way to get quotes out the door

•    Structure quotes so that material lists, purchased items, and process routings are captured in a format that translates directly into production handoff — minimizing the rework required to set up BOMs, purchasing, and routings once an order is received

•    Utilize technology, especially software tools, to improve efficiency – ability to build processes that leverage technology tools at the right points

Customer Service

•    Nurture customer relationships to grow business with them based on service and responsiveness

•    Communicate quotes clearly and professionally to customers and internal stakeholders; support the sales process with technical insight and responsive follow-up

•    Input orders once received, and provide timely updates to customers on delivery dates

WHO YOU ARE

•    You take pride in quotes that are right the first time and you own your errors when they happen. You are detail-oriented and accurate.

•    When something is not working -- a vendor, a process, a template -- you fix it. You do not wait for someone to tell you to. You take ownership.

•    You see every quote as a puzzle to be optimized, not a form to be filled out. You think in cost and margin.

•    You can speak confidently about machining processes, materials, tolerances, and outside processing -- and vendors will respect you for it. You know the shop floor.

•    48 hours is the target. Accuracy is non-negotiable. You find ways to achieve both. You move fast without cutting corners.

•    You are energized by the idea of taking a quoting function from good to excellent -- better systems, better vendors, better win rates. You are a builder.

•    You are honest with customers, honest with colleagues, and honest about where our costs actually are. You operate with integrity.

•    You act every day with a sense of urgency. Business moves fast. Vendors who move quickly win customer loyalty. You operate at a pace that delights customers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

•    3 years of estimating or quoting experience in a precision machining, job shop, or contract manufacturing environment

•    Strong understanding of machining processes, materials, and design principles

•    Excellent blueprint reading skills

•    Demonstrated ability to price materials, labor (setup run time), purchased components, and outside processing services accurately

•    Experience sourcing vendors and obtaining competitive quotes for outside processing and raw materials

•    Strong problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and high personal accountability

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills

•    Detail-oriented with a track record of delivering accurate estimates on time

•    Experienced with different software including Excel and ERPs, and the ability to utilize software and technical tools to gain efficiencies

Preferred

•    Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or 5-10 years experience in a related field

•    Experience with CAD software, particularly SolidWorks

•    Exposure to energy sector, industrial, or defense precision work

•    Experience with ERP or quoting systems for RFQ tracking and cost management

•    Process-improvement mindset with experience building or standardizing estimating workflows

WHY SPRINGFIELD TOOL & DIE

•    Competitive base salary, performance bonus, and full benefits package

•    Company-sponsored health insurance; Rx, Vision, Dental

•    Critical Illness/Accident Insurance; Basic Life Insurance; Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance

•    Short-term and Long-Term Disability

•    401K with Employer Match

•    Paid time off, including paid holidays

•    A role where your results are visible, valued, and rewarded -- win rates go up, you get recognized

•    A commercial team that will support you and a production team that will collaborate with you

•    The chance to build something lasting: a best-in-class estimating function at a company actively investing in growth

• Springfield Tool & Die is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates on their ability to do the job and their commitment to our values, full stop.