PRINT ESTIMATOR/JOB PLANNER

Suttle-Straus is looking for an Estimator/Job Planner to join our award winning team! We offer a collaborative work environment, great benefits and fantastic co-workers. The ideal candidate is a skilled problem solver with strong analytical skills, a continuous improvement mindset, and experience in the printing industry.

Suttle-Straus is a premier provider of printing, digital production, wide format, mailing, custom kitting, warehousing, and distribution services. Our success is founded on three core principles: a clear focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations; a long history of implementing new technologies to increase quality and efficiency; and the importance of building an outstanding workforce. We offer a competitive benefits package with immediate eligibility for health, dental, vision and life insurance, and eligibility after 30 days for a company matched 401(k) plan. Paid time off accrues monthly from date of hire. Check out our website (www.suttle-straus.com) and Facebook page to learn more about us!

Job Summary:

The primary function of this position is to prepare cost estimates for printing jobs by determining the most economical method of manufacture, considering production capabilities and capacity. This position is located in Waunakee, WI.

Key Result Areas (KRAs):

1. Timely Estimates and Plans

• Provide estimates and job plans within agreed upon turn times
• Monitor workload in the RFQ system and dashboard to ensure estimates are provided within agreed upon turn times

2. Quality Estimates and Plans

• Prepare accurate, consistent, predictable, and economical job estimates and plans
• Create job layouts, obtain vendor quotes and write purchase orders for materials and/or services
• Advise on highly complex jobs to translate customer requirements into manufacturing specifications
• Keep up to date, and communicate about, suppliers, price changes and competitive prices
• Ability to work with production to develop best practices and efficient ways to produce new products

 3. Actively Engage in Continuous Improvement & Safety

• Follow all safety policies and procedures
• Optimize manufacturing of production jobs
• Collaborate with office and operations team members
• Participate in the creation, implementation, and maintenance of standard work
• Adhere to standard work
• Review estimate to actual on problem jobs, evaluate root cause to adjust for similar work
• Perform secondary reviews of estimates and jobs
• Identify waste and streamline processes

Other Job Responsibilities:

• Work with vendors to obtain best prices for supplies. Get quotes from a minimum of three vendors.
• Provide competent backup for other members of the planning and estimating group
• Cross-train as a back up to Scheduling or Purchasing within the Workflow Department
• Maintain orderly, neat and concise customer files and records

Skills & Educational Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in estimating and planning (commercial print industry preferred) or related professional experience
• Working knowledge of print and finishing processes, paper, ink, purchasing
• Creative problem-solving skills required. The Estimator/Planner must regularly analyze customer needs, technical commercial printing constraints and company resources/capabilities and choose among several alternative courses of action to select best method
• Must possess and exhibit good verbal and written communication skills, and be able to communicate clearly with in-plant supervisors, vendors, customers and account managers
• Ability to read and understand oral/written instructions.
• Above average math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Ability to work with abstract designs and create a rough “plan” for a job to be produced
• Strong attention to detail
• Highly proficient computer skills
• Ability to multi-task
• High school degree or equivalent professional experience, Bachelor’s degree preferred