Job Details

ABOUT US

At Springfield Tool & Die, we believe that how we treat people is the foundation of everything else. We genuinely care about the members of this team -- we invest in them, we serve them, we remove obstacles from their path, and we hold each other accountable in a way that is honest, respectful, and aimed at helping everyone succeed.

We are a growing machining company in Duncan, SC, specializing in the design and manufacture of industrial fixtures and precision machined components. We run a diverse equipment lineup -- Okuma, Haas, Devlieg, Lucas, Alpha, and Clausing machines -- and we are on a deliberate path to modernize a storied job shop with a 100-year history. Deep technical knowledge runs through everything we do, and we pair it with an ownership mindset: everyone here takes pride in what they build and how they build it.

If you want to be the engine that drives new work through the door -- building fast, competitive, accurate quotes that win business and protect margin -- this is your opportunity.

THE ROLE

The Estimator owns the quoting process from first RFQ to final price. You will price materials, labor, purchased components, and outside processing; manage and grow our vendor network; and drive continuous improvement in how we estimate. This role demands both technical depth and a relentless ownership mindset.

This is not an order-taking role. We are looking for someone who digs into the details, challenges cost assumptions, builds better systems, and gets quotes out the door within 48 business hours -- without sacrificing accuracy. You will work closely with our Sales, Engineering, and Operations teams and have the full support of leadership to make this function excellent.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

Quoting & Pricing

Produce complete, accurate quotes within a 48-business-hour target turnaround -- covering materials, labor, purchased items, and outside processing (heat treat, plating, grinding, etc.)

Read and interpret blueprints, specs, and RFQs to identify scope, tolerances, materials, and process requirements; collaborate with production to confirm feasibility and cycle times

Work with Design and Operations to develop creative solutions that meet customer needs

Own the full quote lifecycle: track RFQ intake, quote status, and win/loss outcomes; follow up to understand why we won or lost and feed that back into pricing

• Track win/loss outcomes by customer, job type, and competitor to identify pricing patterns — and use that data to sharpen our rates, close gaps, and drive measurable improvement in win rate over time

Cost Optimization

Source and price raw materials competitively; identify, qualify, and develop vendor relationships for purchased components and outside processing services

Optimize cost structure on every quote -- challenge make-vs-buy decisions, identify lower-cost material substitutes, and leverage vendor competition to protect margin

Intelligently manage cost inputs so every quote reflects our true cost and a price that wins work without leaving money on the table

Vendor Development

Build and maintain a strong network of vendors for outside processing, raw materials, and purchased components

Identify new vendors that expand our capability, reduce lead time, or improve cost competitiveness

Negotiate terms and pricing that give us an edge; hold vendors accountable to quality and delivery commitments

Process Improvement

Standardize estimating templates and build reusable cost libraries that make every subsequent quote faster and more consistent

Reduce quote cycle time and rework without sacrificing accuracy -- always looking for a better, faster, more consistent way to get quotes out the door

• Structure quotes so that material lists, purchased items, and process routings are captured in a format that translates directly into production handoff — minimizing the rework required to set up BOMs, purchasing, and routings once an order is received

• Utilize technology, especially software tools, to improve efficiency – ability to build processes that leverage technology tools at the right points

Customer Service

Nurture customer relationships to grow business with them based on service and responsiveness

Communicate quotes clearly and professionally to customers and internal stakeholders; support the sales process with technical insight and responsive follow-up

Input orders once received, and provide timely updates to customers on delivery dates

WHO YOU ARE

You take pride in quotes that are right the first time and you own your errors when they happen.

You are detail-oriented and accurate.

When something is not working -- a vendor, a process, a template -- you fix it. You do not wait for someone to tell you to.

You take ownership.

You see every quote as a puzzle to be optimized, not a form to be filled out.

You think in cost and margin.

You can speak confidently about machining processes, materials, tolerances, and outside processing -- and vendors will respect you for it.

You know the shop floor.

48 hours is the target. Accuracy is non-negotiable. You find ways to achieve both.

You move fast without cutting corners.

You are energized by the idea of taking a quoting function from good to excellent -- better systems, better vendors, better win rates.

You are a builder.

You are honest with customers, honest with colleagues, and honest about where our costs actually are.

You operate with integrity.

You act every day with a sense of urgency. Business moves fast. Vendors who move quickly win customer loyalty. You operate at a pace that delights customers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

3+ years of estimating or quoting experience in a precision machining, job shop, or contract manufacturing environment

Strong understanding of machining processes, materials, and design principles

Excellent blueprint reading skills

Demonstrated ability to price materials, labor (setup + run time), purchased components, and outside processing services accurately

Experience sourcing vendors and obtaining competitive quotes for outside processing and raw materials

Strong problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and high personal accountability

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Detail-oriented with a track record of delivering accurate estimates on time

Experienced with different software including Excel and ERPs, and the ability to utilize software and technical tools to gain efficiencies

Preferred

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or 5-10 years experience in a related field

Experience with CAD software, particularly SolidWorks

Exposure to energy sector, industrial, or defense precision work

Experience with ERP or quoting systems for RFQ tracking and cost management

Process-improvement mindset with experience building or standardizing estimating workflows

WHY SPRINGFIELD TOOL & DIE

Competitive base salary, performance bonus, and full benefits package

Company-sponsored health insurance; Rx, Vision, Dental

Critical Illness/Accident Insurance; Basic Life Insurance; Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance

Short-term and Long-Term Disability

401K with Employer Match

Paid time off, including paid holidays

A role where your results are visible, valued, and rewarded -- win rates go up, you get recognized

A commercial team that will support you and a production team that will collaborate with you

The chance to build something lasting: a best-in-class estimating function at a company actively investing in growth

• Springfield Tool & Die is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates on their ability to do the job and their commitment to our values, full stop.