Job Description

Manufacturing Planner & Estimator

The Manufacturing Planner & Estimator is responsible for analyzing customer requirements, developing accurate cost estimates, and planning efficient manufacturing processes to meet production, quality, and delivery targets. This role bridges engineering, production, purchasing, and sales to ensure jobs are quoted competitively and executed efficiently.

Education and Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing planning, estimating, or production engineering

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing or cost-reduction methodologies
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Position Requirements

• Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products
• Review customer drawings, specifications, and RFQs to prepare accurate cost estimates
• Determine material, labor, machine time, tooling, and overhead costs
• Develop competitive and profitable pricing strategies in coordination with sales
• Maintain estimating databases, standards, and historical cost data
• Create routings, bills of materials (BOMs), and work instructions
• Plan production workflows to optimize capacity, labor, and equipment utilization
• Coordinate with production teams to ensure manufacturability and feasibility
• Support new product introductions and engineering changes
• Identify cost reduction and process improvement opportunities
• Performs other duties as assigned