Estimator - Commercial Print And Direct Mail

Japs-Olson Company, founded in 1907, has been at the forefront of the commercial printing and direct mail production industry for over 115 years. Based in St. Louis Park, it is one of the ten largest commercial printing and direct mail production firms in the country thanks to its highly skilled work force and ongoing investment in equipment and technology. The company maintains a 720,000 square-foot facility with more than 650 employees.

Position Overview:

The primary responsibility of the Estimator is to develop cost estimates for jobs that range from routine to complex as required by the customer. You will also assist the sales and account representatives in providing quotes for various print campaigns. Estimators at Japs-Olson interact daily with many types of contacts, from production personnel through senior managers both inside and outside the company to successfully complete estimates.

Key Accountabilities:

• Collaborate daily with other estimating team members to accomplish immediate tasks, team objectives and department goals.

• Work on customer estimates from concept and specifications to completion.

• Interact with outside vendors to obtain specifications, workflows, and pricing to plan and estimate complex projects.

• Coordinate with other departments to ensure best practices and processes are used in planning the print production methods.

Key Tasks:

• Review and analyze customer specifications to prepare time and cost estimates for materials, labor, and outside vendor processes.

• Manage incoming email and hard copy estimates requests to input into the estimating daily task list as assigned.

• Utilize estimating software to create estimates.

• Plan jobs using a variety of substrates, coatings, printing, and imaging processes.

• Evaluate all methods available for producing a job and provide estimates based on the most economical method and best alternatives.

• Consult with appropriate department managers to determine production capabilities and optimal production process.

• Develop knowledge of all different papers and materials available, recommend cost saving opportunities when appropriate.

• Follow USPS mailing standards and rules in preparing estimates for mailed products, advising sales and customer service on requirements and alternatives to meet standards.

• Revise estimates as needed due to specification changes.

• Perform job cost analysis and estimate to actual comparisons as required, prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.

• Consult with sales, vendors, and appropriate personnel in other Japs-Olson departments to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve production issues.

• Use estimating standard work and procedures, assure quality standards and accuracy are met prior to delivering an estimate.

• Create inline planning documents for complex projects produced in inline presses, consulting with press department managers to verify standards.

Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Printing Management or Graphic Communications preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of related experience.

• Experience estimating projects for a web or sheetfed printing company.

• Strong math, computer, problem solving and analytical skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to organize and prioritize work activities for working on multiple projects of diverse sizes and scope at the same time.

• Self-directed and self-motivated with a proven work ethic.

• Excellent customer service and business relationship-building skills.

• Ability to read and interpret customer specifications.

• Experience with variety of paper substrates in different printing processes, understanding of paper terminology and paper pricing.

Benefits Overview:

• Stay-on bonus available, up to $6,000*

• Affordable medical, vision, and dental insurance plans

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with weekly company contributions

• 401(k) savings plan with weekly company contributions

• Life Insurance

• Paid Holidays and Floating Holidays

• Competitive Paid Time Off Policies

• Short- and long-term disability

• Indoor, climate-controlled environment

• Company provided training and certification program

• Located on the 612 bus line in St. Louis Park

• Stay-On Bonus amount is based on experience. Paid out in three installments at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months of employment at Japs-Olson.

• All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.

• Due to the nature of the manufacturing environment, Japs-Olson Company considers this position to be safety sensitive position. All job offers are conditional based on satisfying a 9-panel drug screening and physical test in accordance with the Drug Testing in the Workplace Act.