Role: Technical Business Development Estimator
Department: Business Development/Product Design & Implementation
Reports To: Managing Director
Location: Cullompton, also covering Braunton and Kingsbridge as required
Working With: Commercial Team, Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Finance
Purpose of the Role:
To develop accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates and quotations for new business opportunities, working closely with internal teams to assess material, labour, and overhead costs. The role bridges commercial acumen with technical understanding to support business growth and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
Quotation & Estimating
- Prepare cost estimates and customer quotations for new and existing products, projects, and enquiries.
- Analyse drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to determine appropriate materials, processes, and cost drivers.
- Work with supply chain to obtain up-to-date material costs and lead times.
- Collaborate with production and engineering teams to determine accurate labour and machine time requirements.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Liaise with the Commercial team to understand customer needs, timelines, and pricing strategies.
- Coordinate with Engineering and Design teams to interpret technical drawings and assess manufacturability.
- Support Supply Chain in supplier negotiations and sourcing strategies where required.
- Ensure that strong health and safety practices are continuously applied and all legal & industry regulations are fully met.
Commercial Support
- Contribute to pricing strategy discussions based on cost analysis and market intelligence.
- Maintain accurate records of estimates, assumptions, and pricing history to inform future projects.
- Controlling and (when necessary) amending the ERP system to align with any cost increases/decreases for the parts
- Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions as needed to clarify requirements and explain costings.
Continuous Improvement
- Analyse win/loss data on quotes to improve future estimating accuracy and competitiveness.
- Help develop standardized tools, templates, and processes for consistent estimating practices.
- Monitor industry trends, materials cost fluctuations, and manufacturing innovations to refine costing models.
- Improve margin/cost control through periodic re-evaluation of production processes, to remove non-value add activities or inefficiencies.
Key Skills & Experience:
- Strong technical background in manufacturing, engineering, or product development.
- Proven experience in estimating, costing, or technical sales within a manufacturing or engineering business.
- Proficient in reading technical drawings and understanding production processes.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills; experience with costing tools and ERP systems is beneficial.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
