At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative storage solutions and prepare accurate cost estimates for customer projects.
- Company: Join the Whittan Group, the UK's largest steel storage manufacturer.
- Benefits: Structured training, ongoing coaching, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal growth in a positive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving problems and collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Attention to detail, commercial awareness, and problem-solving skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
The Whittan Group is the largest manufacturer of steel storage products in the United Kingdom. Operating with a number of market-leading brands, we design, manufacture and install storage solutions for commercial and industrial environments across the UK and Europe. We are looking for a Design Engineer to join our busy and growing organisation. This role is focused on creating practical, cost-effective storage solutions that meet customer requirements while supporting strong commercial outcomes. The Design Cost Estimator plays a key role in enabling sales success through accurate costing, attention to detail, and a structured, process-driven approach.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is customer-focused, commercially conscious, and enjoys problem-solving within a collaborative and supportive environment. We offer structured initial training alongside ongoing coaching and development.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop storage solutions: Create practical and compliant storage solutions based on customer requirements, ensuring designs are fit for purpose and commercially viable.
- Prepare accurate cost estimates: Produce detailed and accurate costings and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for system entry, ensuring all components are correctly specified and priced.
- Process-driven design support: Follow defined internal processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in all estimates and design outputs.
- Support commercial performance: Work closely with the sales team to provide timely, commercially aware cost information that supports quotation, conversion, and margin targets.
- Customer-focused collaboration: Maintain a strong customer mindset, ensuring proposed solutions balance customer needs, operational feasibility, and commercial outcomes.
- Problem solving: Identify and resolve design or costing challenges, offering practical solutions while maintaining attention to detail.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with sales, operations, and factory teams to ensure smooth handovers and high levels of internal and external satisfaction.
Required experience / skills / qualifications:
- Essential: Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy, commercial awareness and understanding of cost-driven decision making, problem-solving skills with a practical, solution-focused approach, good IT literacy, including MS Word, Excel, and Outlook, ability to work effectively within and outside of defined processes.
- Desirable: CAD experience (AutoCAD or equivalent), experience within a manufacturing, engineering, or construction-related environment, knowledge of storage or racking systems (pallet racking, shelving, mezzanine).
Training and development:
- Structured onboarding and initial role-specific training.
- Ongoing coaching and development to build technical and commercial capability.
- Supportive management and collaborative team environment.
The Whittan Group offers a positive, supportive, and collaborative working culture, where people are encouraged to develop, contribute ideas, and succeed together. The Whittan Group promotes equality of opportunity and is committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly, regardless of gender or gender reassignment, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, race, colour, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Estimator/Design in Telford employer: The Whittan Group
The Whittan Group is an exceptional employer located in Milton Keynes, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide ample opportunities for growth and skill enhancement, ensuring that our team members are well-equipped to excel in their roles. Our commitment to maintaining a supportive culture, combined with competitive benefits, makes us a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in tooling engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator/Design in Telford
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
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✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like The Whittan Group, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator/Design in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to The Whittan Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Whittan Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with The Whittan Group, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like The Whittan Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
