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