At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce accurate costings for machined components and negotiate with suppliers.
- Company: Established UK engineering manufacturer with a strong international presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare plan, pension, and 31 days holiday.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a chance to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced environment and make a real impact in precision engineering.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and 2+ years in estimating or technical purchasing.
An established UK engineering manufacturer is looking for an experienced Estimator to join its Purchasing team. They are a well-established manufacturer with an excellent reputation for manufacturing high quality precision engineered products. They operate internationally, supplying engineered solutions to customers across more than 50 countries and supporting projects within demanding sectors including oil & gas, energy, subsea and emerging technologies.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an engineering, estimating or technical purchasing background who can interpret engineering drawings and accurately price machined components. The Estimator will have experience working with or supplying into machine shops and must understand the processes involved in machining metals, pricing materials and negotiating with suppliers. The ideal candidate would have a hands-on background, from working as a machinist or within a shop floor/machine shop environment before progressing into estimating, purchasing or commercial engineering position.
The Role of the Estimator:
The Estimator will be reporting to the Head of Purchasing. The Estimator will be responsible for producing accurate and competitive costings across machined components and key commodities, including forgings and fasteners. The position is an important role in managing the cost of externally manufactured components. The business does not manufacture these components in-house, so the Estimator will work closely with external machine shops that manufacture and assemble components on its behalf.
Machine shop experience is essential for this position. The Estimator will need a good understanding of machined components, metals and machining processes and be able to interpret engineering drawings and understand how components are manufactured. The Estimator will use their machine shop knowledge to assess manufacturing processes, understand and challenge supplier costings, accurately price machined components, and negotiate with external engineering suppliers to achieve the best possible costs and lead times. This could suit someone who has previously worked in a hands-on machine shop environment, such as a machinist, and has since progressed into estimating, costing or technical purchasing. This role is ideal for an Estimator with experience in precision engineering, oil & gas, aerospace or a similar engineering environment.
Responsibilities of the Estimator:
- Producing accurate costings against customer enquiries
- Pricing machined components from engineering drawings
- Pricing key commodities including forgings, fasteners, bar and other metals
- Understanding material, labour and machining costs
- Reviewing supplier pricing and identifying opportunities to reduce costs
- Negotiating with machine shops and suppliers to achieve the best commercial terms
- Challenging pricing and understanding where costs can be reduced
- Managing supplier relationships and monitoring capacity and lead times
- Ensuring components meet the required technical specifications and quality standards
- Liaising with engineering, purchasing and other operational departments
- Working within a fast moving engineering environment
- Using ERP systems to manage purchasing and costing information
- Occasionally travelling to suppliers
Requirements of the Estimator:
- Engineering degree or qualification
- At least 2 years’ experience within engineering, estimating or technical purchasing
- Experience producing costings for machined components
- Experience within precision engineering, oil & gas, aerospace, machining or a similar engineering environment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
- Understanding of machining processes and machine shop environments
- Knowledge of metals, materials and their associated costs
- Experience dealing directly with machine shops and engineering suppliers
- Negotiation skills with the ability to challenge supplier pricing and reduce costs
- Understanding of how machining time, materials and processes impact component pricing
- Good computer skills and experience using ERP systems
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle for supplier visits
Benefits of the Estimator:
- £50,000 – £60,000 salary (depending on experience)
- Healthcare cash plan, including support towards medical and eye care costs
- Death in service – 2x salary
- Pension – 5% employee / 4% employer contribution
- 31 days’ holiday including bank holidays, increasing with service
- Christmas shutdown
- Long term career progression
- Opportunity to work within an established engineering manufacturer
- Fast moving environment with the opportunity to make a real commercial impact
If you have a background in machined components, estimating, costing or technical purchasing and know how to look at an engineering drawing, understand how a part will be manufactured and determine what it should cost, this could be an excellent next step.
Interested? Please contact Adele Lewis or click Apply Now.
Estimator in Knutsford employer: Aspion
Aspion is an excellent employer that values its drivers by offering competitive salaries and a supportive work culture. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for advancement within a dynamic team environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in Burtonwood.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator in Knutsford
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Estimator role you’re after at Aspion.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Aspion a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Aspion.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Estimator at Aspion, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator in Knutsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Estimator, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Aspion a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Aspion specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspion
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Aspion, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Aspion want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
