At a Glance
- Tasks: Create practical storage solutions and prepare accurate cost estimates for customer projects.
- Company: Join the Whittan Group, the UK's largest steel storage products manufacturer.
- Benefits: Structured training, ongoing development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a positive and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving problems and supporting sales success in a collaborative setting.
- Qualifications: Attention to detail, commercial awareness, and good IT skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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.
- 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)
- 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.
Design Cost Estimator in Telford employer: Whittan
The Whittan Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes where employees can thrive in a fast-paced production setting. With a strong commitment to health and safety, competitive shift premiums, and opportunities for skill development across various machinery, we foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement. Join us to be part of a leading manufacturer that values your contributions and supports your career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Cost Estimator in Telford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Whittan, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Design Cost Estimator at Whittan.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Cost Estimator in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Whittan
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
