Position Summary
We are seeking an experiencedPrint & Direct Mail Estimatorto join our team. This positionis responsible fordevelopingaccurate, competitive, and production-ready estimates for a wide variety of commercial printing and direct mail projects.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience estimating within the printing industry and a strong understanding of print production, materials, equipment capabilities, finishing, mailing, and outside services. This individual must also be highly proficient with spreadsheets and comfortable analyzing multiple production options todeterminethe most efficient and cost-effective way to manufacture a project.
This is an on-site position. Remote work is not available.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepareaccurateandtimelyestimates for direct mail and print projects.
- Review customer specifications, RFQs, artwork requirements, and production instructions toidentifyall componentsrequiredto produce a job.
- Determinethe most efficient production method based on quantity, format, materials, equipment capabilities, finishing requirements, turnaround time, and other job specifications.
- Estimate projects involving digital and inkjet printing, conventional printing,variable-dataprinting, personalization, finishing, inserting, mailing, and fulfillment.
- Calculate paper and material requirements, production speeds, labor, machine time, spoilage/waste, outside services, freight, and other costs.
- Develop estimates for direct mail projects including printing, personalization, addressing, inserting, finishing, data processing, and postal preparation.
- Compare alternative production methods and recommend the most cost-effective manufacturing approach.
- Solicit and evaluate pricing from outside vendors when projects require outsourced materials or services.
- Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, Production, Mailing, and Operations to ensure estimates accurately reflect production requirements and capabilities.
- Review specifications for potential production challenges, missing information, or opportunities to reducecost.
- Maintain estimating standards, equipment rates, material costs, production assumptions, and other estimating data.
- Assistwith analysis of estimated versus actual job costs andidentifyopportunities to improve estimating accuracy.
- Create andmaintainspreadsheets used for pricing, cost analysis, production comparisons, and customer-specific pricing programs.
- Support pricing for large opportunities, RFPs, and complex or recurring customer programs.
Qualifications
- Previousprinting industry estimating experiencerequired.
- Strong working knowledge of print manufacturing processes.
- Experience estimating direct mail projects.
- Understanding ofpaper, substrates, inks, finishing, bindery, inserting, personalization, and mailing operations.
- Ability to understand equipment capabilities, production speeds, spoilage factors, setup requirements, and manufacturing workflows.
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
- Advancedproficiencywith Microsoft Excel and spreadsheets, including formulas, calculations, data analysis, and pricing models.
- Experience working with print estimating / MIS systems. Experience with PACE preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret customer specifications and translate them intoaccurateproduction requirements.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple estimates and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to investigate alternative production approaches rather than simply pricing a job one way.
- Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with sales and production teams.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will be more than someone who can enter specifications into an estimating system. We are looking for someone whounderstands how print is manufacturedand can thinkthroughthe best way to produce a job.
You should be comfortable looking at a project and asking:
- What is the most efficient way to manufacture this?
- Which equipment and production path make the most sense?
- Are there alternative formats, materials, or production methods that could reduce cost?
- Are all of the necessary production steps included in the estimate?
- Does the pricing make sense based on the complexity and requirements of the project?
The ability to combineprint manufacturing knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong spreadsheet skillsis important to success in this role.
Work Environment
This position works closely with our estimating, sales, customer service, and manufacturing teams and requires regular interaction with production personnel and equipment.
This is a full-time, on-site position. Remote work is not available.
PrintComm is a national direct mail, print and integrated media firm with more than 50 years of experience across multiple industries. PrintComm was recently named the fifth fastest growing printing firm in the US by Printing Impressions magazine.
