Manager, Manufacturing Estimating & Quoting

In-Place Machining Co LLC•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

In-Place Machining Company is seeking a Manager, Manufacturing Estimating & Quoting to lead its technical estimating and quoting function. The role is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and profitable proposals for machining and manufacturing services. The manager leads and develops the Tech Rep team and works closely with Sales, Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and technical subject matter experts to translate customer requirements into technically sound, commercially competitive proposals. The position combines people leadership with hands-on technical and commercial review. It involves evaluating drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and customer requirements; determining manufacturing approaches and required resources; assessing costs and risks; and ensuring quotes are accurate, executable, competitive, and appropriately profitable. The manager also improves estimating practices and systems, tracks performance, supports customer discussions, and strengthens the handoff and feedback loop between estimating and project execution.

Requirements

At least 3 years of leadership experience within machining, manufacturing, estimating, quoting, engineering, production, or a related technical environment.
Demonstrated experience developing or reviewing manufacturing quotes, estimates, project pricing, cost models, or proposals.
Strong understanding of CNC machining, conventional machining, manufacturing processes, shop operations, tooling, labor requirements, and production costs.
Ability to assess a drawing, part, or scope of work and understand how it can be manufactured and what resources are required.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, tolerances, and customer requirements.
Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers, including labor, machine time, materials, tooling, outside processing, freight, setup, and overhead.
Strong commercial mindset and ability to balance cost, margin, competitiveness, risk, and customer requirements.
Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Engineering, Operations, Production, and Project Management.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and pricing decisions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to develop people, establish accountability, and improve team performance.

Nice To Haves

Project management experience.
Hands-on machining, CNC, manufacturing engineering, or production experience.
Experience quoting complex, custom, low-volume, large-scale, repair, field, or engineered manufacturing work.
Experience estimating projects with unclear scopes that require technical judgment.
Experience comparing estimated costs and labor hours against actual project performance.
Experience working directly with customers during the RFQ and proposal process.
Familiarity with ERP, estimating, quoting, CRM, or manufacturing cost-management systems.

Responsibilities

Own and oversee quotes, estimates, cost models, and proposals for machining and manufacturing service opportunities.
Lead a team of technical estimators/Tech Reps who evaluate customer requests and develop pricing.
Review RFQs, mechanical drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and other technical documentation.
Determine effective manufacturing and machining approaches for executing the work.
Develop detailed estimates covering labor hours, machining time, equipment, tooling, materials, subcontracted services, travel, freight, setup, production requirements, and project risk.
Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, competitiveness, and appropriate margins before quotes are released.
Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to improve cost, lead time, execution strategy, and competitiveness.
Help establish pricing strategies that balance winning work with protecting profitability.
Develop a strong understanding of the company’s manufacturing capabilities, equipment, technical resources, and service offerings.
Match customer requirements with appropriate machining, manufacturing, engineering, repair, or technical service solutions.
Partner with Operations and technical experts to determine how work will be performed.
Identify manufacturing constraints, special tooling needs, capacity considerations, outsourcing needs, and execution risks during quoting.
Support complex or non-standard manufacturing opportunities requiring creative technical solutions.
Work with Sales to understand customer needs, clarify scope, and develop technical and commercial proposals.
Partner with Operations to ensure quoted labor hours, methods, equipment requirements, and schedules are realistic and executable.
Participate in customer discussions about scope, technical requirements, pricing, lead times, and manufacturing options.
Support the handoff of awarded projects to Operations, ensuring expectations, assumptions, and scope are communicated clearly.
Review completed projects against original estimates to identify variances and improve future quote accuracy.
Coach, develop, and hold the estimating/Tech Rep team accountable for quote quality, accuracy, responsiveness, and turnaround time.
Establish consistent estimating practices, documentation, approvals, and pricing methodology.
Develop and monitor metrics including quote volume, turnaround time, win rate, estimating accuracy, margins, and estimate-to-actual performance.
Continuously improve estimating tools, systems, processes, templates, and cost databases.
Build stronger feedback loops among Sales, Estimating, Engineering, Project Management, and Operations.
Promote and enforce a strong safety culture in all activities.