ORDER ESTIMATOR PROCESSING SPECIALIST

Chicago Tag and Label is a leading provider of innovative and customized print and label solutions, serving a diverse range of industries across the nation. With several decades of experience and a commitment to quality, we help businesses enhance their branding, streamline operations, and meet regulatory requirements through our extensive product offerings. Our solutions include custom labels, tags, form labels, and specialty products designed to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Visit us on our website:  www.chicagotag.com

Position Overview:

This is a newly created role at Chicago Tag and Label reporting to the Pricing Director.   This position will have various responsibilities targeted at estimating and processing orders into the system and analyzing the end results to how the job was budgeted.    The candidate must have a background in manufacturing/production operations, preferably in the print or paper converting industry.

Responsibilities and Duties

PURCHASING – 5% of time

• Place raw material POs with vendors.
• Outsource Ribbons

ESTIMATING – 70% of time

Estimating

1. Receive inquiries from Customer Service or Sales, obtain detailed information regarding products and their applications, calculate estimated costs and prepare quotations and orders for printing and related services.
2. Investigate pertinent details, such as quantities, delivery information, dimensions, configurations, paper stock characteristics, size and layout of copy, numbering or coding needs, stress conditions, environment in which products will be used, number of layers or two-sided printing, perforations, reinforcements and similar data to visualize needs, functions and production operations required.
3. Independently query all pertinent departments and outside vendors to develop specifications and a plan of action to manufacture orders with appropriate profit margins and valid delivery schedules.
4. Enter data into the computer system, using appropriate program for estimates, determine leads times and prepare and communicate quotations to Customer Service and/or Sales within established turnaround time.
5. Analyze or evaluate factors required to manufacture products, including the selection of appropriate equipment, determine set up and press run time, material availability, artwork, plate and die requirements, anticipated waste, standard and special charges, and similar factors from knowledge of manufacturing process and on the basis of previous cost data.
6. Analyze and recommend modifications and changes to estimates to reduce costs and improve profit margins, to resolve specific problems, attain desired results and prepare layouts or samples as required.
7. Review completed estimates to verify that all steps and elements in the determined process have been addressed and they are complete and accurate.  
8. Procure estimates for outsourced products following company policy. 

ORDER ENTRY – 20% of time

• Process customer purchase orders in conjunction with internal order write-ups prepared by account personnel.
• Verify accuracy of customer purchase orders against internal write-ups and CT&L item details.
• Compare customer orders to approved quotations from the Estimating Department; investigate and resolve incomplete, inconsistent, or conflicting specifications.
• Obtain or create revised quotations and make necessary order corrections.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, Customer Service, or Sales regarding order changes, issues, or specification questions.
• Prepare shop orders listing stock, ink, perforation, punching, and other production specifications.
• Review die-cutting requirements, calculate costs, and determine appropriate die characteristics to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Order tooling as required and communicate specifications to approved vendors.
• Prepare simple sketches or samples when necessary.
• Estimate shipping dates and coordinate with Customer Service to track promised delivery dates.
• Notify supervisors of upcoming delivery commitments or potential conflicts.
• Work with the Pre-Press Department to create, revise, and update artwork for customer approval.
• Assist the Estimating Department by preparing estimates as needed.
• Verify new customer account numbers and notify Accounting of updates to maintain accurate customer records.
• Create and maintain item records and ship-to addresses in the ERP system as required.
• Use computers, calculators, rulers, and other standard office equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB COSTING – 5% of time

Working with the SVP of Operations and Pressroom Manager:

• Monitor live production through the ASFDC system on all presses and take corrective action, as necessary, to eliminate/stop efficiencies.
• Enforce proper use of automatic and manual data collections systems for costing.
• Generate costing reports from these systems for issues, identification, and resolution of over budget productivity issues.
• Set up Production codes for the ASFDC system.
• Ensure that, as the company grows, manufacturing capabilities meet or exceed all industry and customer requirements.   This includes identifying issues within Production and providing suggestions for increase efficiencies to pressroom manager and ASVP of Operations.
• Work with Pricing Director on costing analytics for completed job orders and Oder Entry/Estimating on quotations.
• Working with Pricing Direct and IT Director, provide suggestions as to what additions, changes or deletions should occur within the ASFDC system.
• Review variances to how job ran to quoted.
• Work with IT Manager to develop custom reports to meet company needs (i.e., costing reports, etc.).   Determine what should be included in the data so information is accurate and appropriate.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minium 5 years’ experience in manufacturing/production operations – preferably in a paper converting or print-manufacturing environment.
• Associates degree or equivalent college course work
• Experience working with or running Manufacturing equipment.   Preferred experience with Flexographic Printing Presses, High Speed Operation/Multiple Webs/Specialty Converting, Digital Imaging, Adhesive Coating, In-Line Finishing, Off-Line Finishing and Paper Slitters.
• Strong computer and reporting building skills (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to learn ERP system(s), – Radius a plus.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong Math Skills

Reporting Structure

Reports to the Director of Purchasing

Position is Full-Time in Office

What we offer

• Salary Range $71,000 -$89,000 Annually
• Comprehensive benefit package, including health, dental, vision, company paid life insurance
• Flexible Spending Plan
• 401(k) plan with Profit Sharing
• Time off plans including company paid holidays, vacation, and Illinois paid leave
• Supportive company culture focused on growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to https://www.chicagotag.com/careers

Chicago Tag & Label is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.