Title: Estimating and Outsourcing Specialist
Job Classification: Salaried, Exempt
Department: Operations/Job Planning
Reports To: General Manager
Purpose of Position: The primary responsibility of the Estimating and Outsourcing Specialist is to develop cost estimates, and coordinate outsourced printed materials and services, for routine and complex jobs as required by customer requests. The Estimating and Outsourcing Specialist is an integral part of the Company's workflow, has a strong awareness and understanding of all production activities, and must be able to create accurate estimates in a timely and efficient manner. They work closely with Account Executives, Account Managers, and all areas of production to ensure projects can be produced in the most cost-effective manner.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Use the company's estimating software to calculate labor and material costs of producing direct mail and other printed materials based on specifications outlined from Account Executives or Account Managers.
- Examine specifications, sketches, and/or layouts to assist in determining production costs.
- Understand and consider factors such as size, number of sheets or pages, paper stock, binding operations, number of ink colors, and quality of finished product to determine the most cost-effective production method.
- Confer with Management and/or production personnel to develop or confirm information regarding various cost elements.
- Maintain knowledge of current and new print technologies.
- Communicate and negotiate with vendors on behalf of the company to obtain competitive pricing & scheduling to meet customer's needs.
- Develop solutions and results through continuous improvement; collaborate with various departments to fully understand new product offerings and be able to discuss, present, and implement them.
- Work with the Director of Workflow and Automation, General Manager, Sales, and other members of the Production Team as needed to get feedback on production choices, answer any questions they have, and clarify technical specifications.
- Communicate any potential concerns to the Account Executive, Account Manager, and Director of Customer Experience as needed.
- Participate in special projects as assigned.
- Provide assistance and coverage to others in the Job Planning department as needed.
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - interacts with various people in a friendly, professional manner.
- Continuously learn and communicate with others about graphic communication and mailing services, including but not limited to; printing processes, paper options, USPS postal knowledge, and product specifications.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Complete time-sensitive tasks in an efficient manner.
- Interpret information in mathematical, written and diagram form.
- Use arithmetic to perform systems administration duties; reviewing, analyzing, and reporting accurate information.
- Adept with using a computer and has experience in the Microsoft Office suite of software, including Excel.
- Experience with ERP and CRM systems.
- Make sound decisions and resolve problems using facts, experience, problem solving tools and personal judgment.
- Negotiation skills and conflict resolution abilities.
- Work on various projects simultaneously and adapt to constantly changing situations.
- Understand the effects of technological and economic trends that impact Company plans.
- Able to institute change without unduly disrupting organization effectiveness.
Physical Demands: Requires 100% field of vision capabilities. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Reasoning Development: Apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw conclusions. Interpret an extensive variety of financial and technical information in mathematical or diagrammatic form. Deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Control activities of individual and multiple processor units simultaneously. Requires ability to productively interact and perform well in a fast paced, demanding, pressure/stressful environment created by extreme workflows and demanding or changing deadlines. Educational/Experience: Education, training, and experience. Any combination of education, training, and experience which demonstrates ability to perform the duties and responsibilities as described.
Performance Measurement: Performance feedback will take place both verbally and written on a day-to-day as needed basis, recognition in monthly employee recognition meetings, formal training on changes in SOP as needed with a formal review by the supervisor at least annually.