Estimating Manager

The Atlas Group•Wichita, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Estimating Manager leads WASI’s commercial strategy, estimating organization, and front-end business execution. This role owns the estimator team and is directly accountable for turning quotes around on time, tracking win/loss performance, and developing a deep, data-driven understanding of WASI’s business — its customers, commodities, capacity, and competitive position. The Estimating Manager partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to drive accurate run times, competitive pricing, and healthy backlog development. The role maintains ownership of win-rate performance, customer engagement, market growth, and margin management, holding a minimum contribution margin expectation of 25% unless otherwise approved by the VP/GM.

Requirements

Team-oriented with strong leadership and coaching skills.
Detail-oriented with meticulous work habits and strong project management skills.
Strong ability to set priorities, solve problems, and be resourceful under pressure.
Hands-on machining experience required — 3, 4, 5-axis or similar.
Direct experience understanding machine processes, run times, and manufacturability.
Extensive understanding of cost modeling and quoting methodologies.
Comfortable interfacing with all levels of staff and management in a fast-paced, high-mix environment.
Quality-oriented; must understand the requirements of AS9102.
College degree in Business, Engineering, or related field and five years’ related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination.
Previous production-environment leadership role required.
Prior direct team leadership experience required.
Direct customer-facing estimation experience required.
MRP or ERP system experience required.

Nice To Haves

Aviation background preferred, ideally in quick-turn, high-mix / low-volume environments.

Responsibilities

Own the estimating function and lead, coach, and develop all estimators.
Ensure quotes are turned in on time — establish, enforce, and report against quote cycle-time targets.
Track and analyze wins and losses by customer, commodity, and part family, driving root-cause corrective action.
Understand the business deeply — customer demand trends, market dynamics, capacity, and competitive positioning — and translate that into pricing and growth strategy.
Maintain margin discipline and a balanced backlog that supports shop capacity and financial goals.
Directly supervise, mentor, and develop the estimating team; set clear priorities, expectations, and accountability.
Own quoting discipline including margin expectations, pricing structure, and turn-time standards.
Ensure the team produces accurate, timely, and competitive quotes with validated assumptions from manufacturing and engineering.
Carry out leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policy and applicable law with HR guidance — interviewing, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining, and resolving complaints.
Foster a culture of collaboration and clear communication across all levels of staff.
Establish and monitor quote cycle-time, accuracy, and consistency KPIs; report performance to leadership on a regular cadence.
Drive on-time quote delivery as a primary performance metric for the team.
Ensure every opportunity, quote, and decision is supported by accurate cost modeling and data.
Continuously improve the estimating workflow to reduce turn time without sacrificing accuracy.
Monitor win/loss performance by customer, commodity, and part family; identify trends and root-cause corrective actions.
Provide leadership with regular reporting on quoting volume, conversion (win) rates, backlog health, and customer activity.
Analyze customer demand trends, market dynamics, and competitive positioning to inform pricing and pursuit strategy.
Develop and maintain a deep understanding of WASI’s cost base, capabilities, and capacity to quote profitably and realistically.
Lead the business development function, driving growth across key customers and markets.
Identify, pursue, and secure new business in alignment with short- and long-term strategy.
Develop and maintain strong customer relationships; serve as senior commercial representative for the organization.
Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning, pricing strategy, and future capability needs.
Maintain a balanced backlog that supports shop capacity, financial goals, and customer priorities.
Develop and manage the department budget, ensuring cost control and profitability.
Maintain ownership of margin performance within established minimums.
Prepare and present operational and commercial performance reports for executive leadership.
Lead change-management initiatives to adapt to evolving industry standards and improve efficiency.
Has authority to stop any production order for quality concerns.
Ensure safety guidelines and company policies are followed and that appropriate PPE is worn in designated areas.