Project Estimator in Louisville, Kentucky at Design Fabricators and In

Job Title: Project Estimator

Department: Sales

Reports to: Vice President

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Louisville, KY

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Estimator I is responsible for supporting the estimating process by reviewing customer requests, drawings, specifications, vendor information, and internal production requirements to help prepare accurate and timely project estimates. This position assists with gathering pricing, calculating material and labor costs, preparing bid documents, maintaining estimating records, and supporting communication between customers, vendors, sales, engineering, purchasing, and production. The Project Estimator I reports to the Vice President and works under supervision while developing the technical knowledge and estimating judgment needed to prepare complete and competitive project quotes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Review customer requests, drawings, specifications, and related documents to understand project scope and estimating requirements.

• Assist in preparing project estimates, shop estimates, and customer quotes in a timely manner.

• Gather proposals, drawings, specifications, vendor documents, subcontractor information, and customer requirements needed for estimating.

• Solicit quotes and lead times from internal teams, vendors, and subcontractors as directed.

• Assist with identifying material, labor, equipment, production, subcontractor, overhead, and time requirements.

• Prepare basic cost analysis using material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, and overhead cost information.

• Enter and maintain estimate information in the company ERP or estimating system.

• Assist with preparing bid documents, estimate summaries, and supporting documentation for review.

• Communicate with vendors, subcontractors, and internal team members to clarify pricing, lead times, and scope details.

• Assist customers with basic questions or concerns related to estimates, timing, or project information.

• Maintain organized estimating records, pricing information, vendor quotes, and related project documentation.

• Support updates to the pricing database and estimating tools.

• Communicate estimate assumptions, exclusions, and supporting information clearly to supervisors or senior estimators.

• Assist with project handoff meetings after award by helping transfer estimating information to the project team.

• Support continuous improvement efforts within the estimating process.

• Attend networking functions, customer visits, or light travel as requested by supervisor.

• May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.

• 0-3 years of estimating, project coordination, fabrication, construction, conveyor, material handling, manufacturing, or related experience preferred.

• Basic understanding of fabrication, shop, purchasing, engineering, production, or construction processes preferred.

• Ability to read and interpret basic drawings, specifications, work scopes, and customer documents.

• Ability to perform basic material, labor, equipment, and time calculations.

• Basic understanding of vendor quote comparison and cost documentation.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required.

• Intermediate Excel skills preferred.

• Experience with JobBOSS, NetSuite, ERP systems, or estimating software preferred.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong communication, organization, and follow-up skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to learn estimating methods, pricing structures, and company processes.

• Ability to work as part of a team and take direction from supervisors or senior estimators.

• Ability to travel to trade shows or customer sites as needed.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to talk and hear; stand; walk; sit; use hands to grasp, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds without assistance. The employee is regularly required to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, etc. in production areas.

Design Fabricators & Integrators is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The work will primarily be performed in a manufacturing environment with frequent exposure to high noise levels, odors, dust, and hazardous machinery/equipment. The position frequently works with others.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.