Estimating Manager (Milwaukee)

Title: Estimating Manager

Company: Global Power Components –

Location: Milwaukee, WI (onsite 5-days/week)

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Company Overview:

Global Power Components is a privately held, growing manufacturer of UL heavy-gauge steel fuel tanks, trailers, generator enclosures, and modular metal enclosures that house fully equipped electrical distribution and control systems. The company specializes in complex weldments, fabricated metal buildings, and large custom power equipment assemblies serving critical infrastructure and industrial markets.

Position Summary:

Global Power Components is seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead and develop our estimating and quoting function in support of a fast-paced engineer-to-order manufacturing environment. This role serves as the primary liaison between the Sales organization and the Estimating team, ensuring customer requests are properly vetted, accurately quoted, and delivered within expected timelines. The Estimating Manager will oversee a team of Sales Estimators while partnering closely with Program Managers and Project Managers who also support quoting activities. This individual will be responsible for driving estimating accuracy, managing workload prioritization, validating lead times and pricing assumptions, improving quote turnaround times, and developing key performance metrics for the department. The ideal candidate will come from a technical estimating, manufacturing, fabrication, construction, or engineer-to-order project environment and possess strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

Estimating Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3+ Sales Estimators.
• Establish departmental priorities and allocate quoting resources to support business objectives.
• Review and approve complex quotations, costing assumptions, and high-value project opportunities.
• Develop training programs and standard work procedures to improve estimator effectiveness and consistency.
• Conduct workload planning and oversee quote assignments to ensure timely completion.

Sales & Customer Request Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Sales team and the Estimating team.
• Review incoming RFQs and customer requests to determine scope, priority, completeness, and resource requirements.
• Facilitate the distribution of quoting opportunities across the estimating team and support functions.
• Work closely with Sales leadership to ensure customer expectations are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and lead times.
• Assist Sales personnel with technical questions, quote strategy, and pricing guidance.

Quoting & Cost Management

• Ensure accurate labor, material, freight, subcontractor, and manufacturing cost assumptions are incorporated into estimates.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Manufacturing, and Project Management teams to validate pricing and production assumptions.
• Review engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and project documentation to ensure quote accuracy.
• Evaluate manufacturing complexity, resource requirements, and project risks during the quotation process.
• Support continuous improvement of estimating tools, pricing models, and quote templates.

Project & Operations Coordination

• Partner with Program Managers and Project Managers regarding project budgets, schedule impacts, change requests, and customer revisions.
• Assist with transitioning awarded projects from quotation to execution.
• Support cross-functional coordination between Sales, Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, and Project Management.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive process improvements throughout the quote-to-order lifecycle.

Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, track, and report key estimating performance metrics including: Quote volume, Quote turnaround time, Win rates, Estimate accuracy, Booked revenue, Pipeline activity, Department workload balancing
• Drive initiatives that improve quote quality, responsiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze historical data and project outcomes to improve future estimating accuracy.
• Support strategic growth initiatives through forecasting and capacity planning efforts.

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in estimating, quoting, project management, program management, engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, construction, or related technical environments.
• 2+ years of leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience.
• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, blueprints, BOMs, and technical product specifications.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, fabrication, industrial equipment, or engineer-to-order project environments.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with experience developing and tracking metrics.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business software.

Preferred:

• Experience managing estimating, inside sales, project management, or engineering support teams.
• Background in heavy manufacturing, metal fabrication, power systems, industrial equipment, or large custom assemblies.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, Smartsheet, project tracking software, or estimating platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Manufacturing Technology, Business, or a related field.
• Experience supporting engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing environments.