Estimator

Border States • Albertville, MN

62d

About The Position

The Estimator is responsible for accurately and competitively estimating the cost of electrical materials and labor for projects, ensuring profitability and meeting customer needs. This role requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of electrical products, and the ability to interpret blueprints and specifications.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4 year technical training or engineering degree required.
• Prefer the knowledge and technical competence in understanding of electrical utility distribution and transmission systems.
• Some travel is required.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Nice To Haves

• Prefer the knowledge and technical competence in understanding of electrical utility distribution and transmission systems.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.

Responsibilities

• Provides continuous contact and interaction with customer’s engineering staff and consultants.
• Provides technical, specific or specialized product support for branches and customers.
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of the power grid.
• Holds in-depth, technically difficult conversations with consultants, customers and employees related to product technology.
• Reviews project blueprints, specifications, and other relevant documents to determine material and labor requirements.
• Accurately calculates material quantities and labor hours required for each project
• Researches and obtains competitive pricing for materials from various suppliers.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates, including material costs, labor costs, overhead, and profit margins.
• Works on technically difficult problems where engineering concepts are needed.
• Works with a broad range of products and services.
• Maintains requested vendor lead times and monthly pricing.
• Actively participates in planning and sale of Border States’ technical products and services and supports the promotion of BSE’s agency lines.
• Is actively involved as a technical support for the outside sales staff and plays an active role in engaging consultants throughout the territory.
• Participates in and advises management on the implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies.
• Provides responsive, quality service to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Provides input to other sales and marketing staff on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.
• Inputs TCCM cost savings documentation that is relevant to the assigned customer base.
• Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products.
• Provides input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing developments, and other related functions.
• Evaluates demo equipment and makes suggestions for new products in specified product areas.
• Leads customer and Border States employee training on new and existing technical product lines and applications in the specified product areas.
• Provides field trouble shooting assistance, training and information/documentation support.
• Conducts product application assessments including TCCM savings, elimination of duplicate items/material consolidation, alternatives to materials, equipment, methods and practices, and regional, industry, national standards for material, equipment and apparatus.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Personal Leave time and more!
• Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees