Estimator

Estimator

Location: Sturgis, Michigan

Status: Full-Time

HRforGrowth® is engaged as the talent acquisition partner to conduct this search on behalf of a client organization that is hiring for this role. HRforGrowth is not the employer for this position. HRforGrowth identifies, evaluates, and presents top-tier candidates through its global talent acquisition practice; all employment decisions — including final selection, offer terms, compensation, and conditions of employment — are made solely by the hiring organization.

Role Summary

The Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate and timely cost estimates for specialty packaging and printed carton projects at the facility. This role evaluates specifications, materials, labor, tooling, production methods, and finishing requirements to support competitive pricing, strong margins, and efficient handoff from quotation through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications, drawings, samples, artwork requirements, and job assumptions to develop accurate estimates for folding cartons, inserts, labels, and other specialty packaging solutions offered by the organization

• Analyze production requirements across prepress, printing, die-cutting, gluing, and specialty finishing steps to determine the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing approach

• Calculate material usage, board and substrate requirements, spoilage assumptions, press time, setup time, finishing labor, packaging, freight assumptions, and outside service costs as applicable

• Estimate tooling requirements, including die tooling and other production aids, while considering the in-house tooling capabilities and lead-time advantages

• Incorporate value-added finishing features such as embossing, braille embossing, foil stamping, specialty coatings, windowing, ink-jet coding, and related carton enhancements into quote development when required

• Partner with sales, customer service, prepress, production, and purchasing teams to clarify specifications, identify risks, and align quotes with operational capabilities and customer expectations

• Prepare formal quotations, cost breakdowns, and pricing recommendations in accordance with company guidelines and target margin expectations

• Maintain estimate files, assumptions, version control, and supporting documentation for future reference, revisions, and post-job analysis

• Evaluate quote revisions, reworks, and alternate scenarios based on customer changes to quantity, materials, construction, or finishing requirements

• Support continuous improvement by comparing estimated versus actual production costs and identifying opportunities to improve pricing accuracy, waste assumptions, and estimating processes

• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders regarding quote status, unusual job requirements, and potential operational challenges

Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in business, printing technology, packaging, engineering, operations, or a related field is a plus

• Minimum of 3 years of estimating, costing, customer service, print production, packaging manufacturing, or related industry experience preferred

• Strong understanding of printing and packaging production workflows, including prepress, offset or flexo printing, die-cutting, finishing, and carton converting

• Ability to interpret specifications, measurements, die lines, job histories, and production requirements with strong attention to detail

• Strong math, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to build accurate cost models and compare production scenarios

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and comfort working in estimating, ERP, or production management systems

• Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment

• Ability to manage multiple quotes and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness

• Experience estimating folding cartons, pharmaceutical packaging, nutraceutical packaging, or other specialty printed packaging

• Familiarity with regulated quality environments that follow ISO 9001:2015, CGMP, or related standards

• Knowledge of carton finishing processes such as foil stamping, embossing, braille, windowing, and specialty coatings

• Understanding of in-house tooling, blanking, and folder-gluer workflows in a packaging plant

About HRforGrowth:

HRforGrowth is a full-service HR and talent partner built to support companies that are scaling, transforming, or navigating change. HRFG is globally recognized for delivering quality, speed, and cost-effective talent solutions across every level of the workforce. Through its global talent acquisition practice, HRforGrowth applies world class rigor and precision to identifying exceptional professional and executive talent on behalf of its clients — from temporary staffing to permanent hourly workers through to placing C-suite executives. HRforGrowth is presenting this opportunity in its capacity as the retained search partner and does not serve as the employer of record for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

In its recruiting and search practices, HRforGrowth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity, and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. HRforGrowth evaluates and presents candidates to its clients without regard to any protected characteristic.

HRforGrowth endeavors to advise the hiring organization to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws — including those enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — in its hiring decisions, terms of employment, and workplace practices.

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