Regional Estimating Manager

Regional Estimating Manager

The Regional Estimating Manager for the East Region provides strategic leadership over estimating operations across multiple manufacturing locations producing folding cartons, commercial print, labels, and leaflets. This role oversees a team of estimators responsible for analyzing artwork, specifications, and documentation to develop accurate time, cost, and labor estimates. The Regional Estimating Manager establishes standardized estimating processes, drives pricing accuracy, and partners with Sales, Customer Service, and Manufacturing teams to support competitive positioning and margin objectives across the region.

The ideal candidate is centrally located near one of the manufacturing sites in the East Region. Locations include: Buffalo, NY; Commack, NY; Garner, NC; Peabody, MA & Windsor, NJ.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and manage a regional team of estimators, providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to build estimating capability across the East Region.
• Establish and enforce standardized estimating methodologies, processes, and procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy across all manufacturing sites within the region.
• Review and approve complex estimates for folding cartons, commercial print, and label products, ensuring production methods, material selections, and pricing reflect optimal cost-effectiveness.
• Analyze customer RFQs and bid packages, coordinating with Sales, Customer Service, Pre-Press, and Manufacturing to gather technical specifications and resolve questions on complex or custom jobs.
• Determine material and labor requirements, computing cost factors for planning, organizing, and scheduling work across offset, flexographic, and digital print platforms.
• Establish quantity price breaks and develop standard pricing methodologies for use by estimators in preparing routine price quotes.
• Organize and manage centralized cost estimating databases and collaborate with cost accounting to develop standard hour rates, production standards, and overhead allocations.
• Conduct post-job cost analysis by comparing estimated versus actual costs, identifying variances, and formulating recommendations for cost reduction and process improvement across the region.
• Consult with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to discuss estimates, resolve issues, and advise on specification options that optimize cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages the estimating function across multiple East Region manufacturing sites. Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and performance evaluation of the estimating team in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, directing work, conducting performance appraisals, and resolving operational issues.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in the printing or packaging industry, with a strong foundation in offset printing processes.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience managing estimators or related teams, preferably in a multi-site environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cost accounting principles, material estimation, and production planning for print manufacturing.
• Proficiency with estimating software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel).
• Strong mathematical skills including the ability to calculate proportions, percentages, area, circumference, volume, and unit conversions.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, diagrams, ruler scales, and measurement specifications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to present information clearly to executive leadership, clients, and cross-functional teams.

Preferred

• Additional experience with flexographic printing processes, substrates, and finishing operations.
• Experience estimating folding cartons, commercial print, and/or label products.
• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) or equivalent; and three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with pre-press workflows, ink systems, die cutting, and bindery/finishing operations.
• Experience developing and implementing standardized estimating processes across multiple locations.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Ability to sit for extended periods performing computer-based data entry and analysis.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel, or crouch; must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• May be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts in manufacturing environments; noise level is usually moderate.
• Regular travel to East Region manufacturing locations is required.

Posted Pay Range: 100,000 - 110,000 base