Estimating & Pricing Manager

Come be an Employee-Owner of one of the nation’s largest producers of metal roofing and siding! We sell, manufacture, build, and distribute metal building components and packages. Since 1988 we’ve grown to over 13 locations nationwide. We make raving fans of our customers with our “right, on time, every time” commitment. So, who are we looking for? People who “Own It”– Commitment to the customer, the company, and each other: You are customer-focused with an eye for detail. You are reliable. People who “Can Do” – Our Attitude: You are an innovative thinker pursuing continuous improvement. You embrace teamwork. You want to positively make an impact and open to change. People who “Act in Love” – Treats others with humility, respect, kindness, honesty, patience, and self-control. You enjoy giving back to your community. We take great pride in the communities we live in, so we give back with our time and talents. Each year you can take paid time off to support a cause close to your heart. And what will you do? Summary: The Estimation & Pricing Manager leads the Building Works estimating function, overseeing the accurate, timely delivery of quotes and proposal revisions while owning market pricing strategy for Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB), Self-Storage(SS), Fab-only, and related products. In this player-coach role, the manager leads and develops the estimating team, supports complex estimates directly, and improves estimating standards, tools, and processes to align quotes with margin targets, pricing tiers, and market conditions. This role partners closely with Sales, Pre-con, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Finance to adjust pricing based on material costs and market trends, supporting profitable growth and competitive positioning across the Building Works portfolio. Core Functions: - Estimating Leadership: Recruit, train, and lead the estimating team, assigning work to balance workloads and meet quote turnaround targets. In a player-coach role, prepare estimates for major or complex projects, including PEMB and self-storage, and ensure accurate, timely quotes and revisions for high-value opportunities. Serve as final approval for major quotes prior to release. - Quoting & Process Management: Oversee the timely, accurate preparation of quotes and proposals across Building Works projects, including initial estimates and revisions. Ability to use and tech Metal Building Software (MBS), Develop and improve estimating standards, policies, procedures, and tools to increase consistency and efficiency. Implement quality controls and track KPIs, such as quote turnaround time and win rate, to monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities. - Pricing Strategy & Administration: Execute market pricing strategy for PEMB and self-storage offerings, balancing competitiveness with margin targets. Maintain cost files and pricing models in quoting systems, including MBS and Central Link, so quotes reflect current costs and approved markups. In partnership with Sales and Finance, establish pricing tiers, guardrails, and index-based adjustments to respond to raw material costs and market conditions. Enforce disciplined discounting and Delegation of Authority (DOA) policies under Sales leadership and Controller oversight to protect pricing integrity. - Cost and Risk Analysis: Evaluate project risks including project design complexity, schedule constraints, and site condition. Validate takeoffs, system selections, and assumptions on project buy outs. Understand alignment gaps with engineering, sales, and customers. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Engineering, Drafting, Manufacturing, Procurement, Pre-con, and Finance to align estimates with design feasibility, production capacity, lead times, and cost inputs. Provide Sales with pricing guidance, value-engineering options, and timely quote status updates to support customer engagement. Join customer and project calls as needed to support technical and pricing discussions. - Continuous Improvement & Reporting: Identify and address root causes of estimating bottlenecks, errors, and inefficiencies to improve throughput and quote quality. Monitor market pricing trends and competitor practices and recommend strategy adjustments to maintain competitiveness. Drive system enhancements with IT and Engineering to improve automation, speed, and accuracy in quoting. Prepare and deliver regular reports on key metrics, including quote volume, conversion rates, margins, and progress against goals. Performs other duties and activities related to the department as necessary to support overall operations and responsibilities, even if not specifically listed above. Key Measures of Success: - Commercial Performance – Achieves margin and close-rate targets through disciplined pricing, accurate quoting, and market-responsive pricing strategies. - Execution Excellence – Maintains high quote accuracy and turnaround speed, minimizes rework, and improves team productivity through training, workload balance, and process discipline. - Clear Tracking in place and at Expected levels- Win-rate, booked margins, and Estimate to – actual performance. - Leadership, Technical, and Financial Capability – Demonstrates a player-coach leadership style, strong PEMB and estimating expertise, and sound pricing and financial judgment in a dynamic, commodity-driven market. - Collaboration, Improvement, and Tools – Works effectively across Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Finance; drives continuous improvement in quoting speed, accuracy, and win rate; and uses estimating systems, CRM/ERP platforms, Excel, and reporting tools effectively. - Ownership and Team Effectiveness – Collaborates well across teams while taking accountability for individual deliverables and departmental goals. - Consistently exhibits and displays the company’s values of “Own It. Can Do. Act in Love.” - Own It – Commitment to customers, company, and each other. - Can Do – Team Player, Open to Change, & Pursuing continuous improvement. - Act in Love – Treating others with humility, respectfulness, kindness, honesty, patience, and self-control. Supervisory Responsibilities: This role includes supervisory responsibilities for assigned staff. The employee provides leadership, direction, and coaching to support departmental goals and objectives. Responsibilities include hiring, training, performance management, time-off approval, and disciplinary action in accordance with company policies and procedures. Leadership of the team include development though training and mentoring on PEMB and SS systems, software, best practices, and maintaining or create standard operating procedures. The supervisor is also expected to foster a positive, collaborative environment that supports employee development and reflects company values. Education & Experience: Minimum Required: - Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. - At least 5 years of experience in construction estimating or preconstruction, including 2 or more years with PEMB or similar building systems. - 3-5 years’ experience in the metal building industry. - At least 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience managing a team or function. - Proven hands-on experience improving systems and processes within an estimating or pricing function. - Proficiency in Metal Building Software (MBS), with familiarity or willingness to learn other specialized quoting tools. - Proficiency in Excel, CRM, and ERP systems, with familiarity or willingness to learn. Preferred: - Master’s degree, MBA, or other advanced degree in a related field. - Experience with data analysis tools such as PivotTables, SQL, and Power BI for pricing and performance analysis. - Understanding of codes (IBC, ASCE 7, AISC) and other industry standards. Physical Demands & Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office environment. This role will routinely utilize standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers, to perform the core functions listed in this job description. The work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive reading, data entry, and verbal/electronic communication. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies up to 25 pounds. This role involves minimal exposure to noise or temperature variations. Key Physical Requirements: - Regular activities: sitting, standing, typing, reading - Occasional activities: lifting office supplies up to 25 lbs., performing tasks requiring fine motor skills (e.g., reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending) - Environmental notes: minimal exposure to noise or temperature variations Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform core functions. Travel This position may require up to 20% travel, depending on business needs. Travel may include visits to company locations, client sites, training, or industry events. The amount of travel is subject to change and should not be considered a fixed or ongoing expectation. Benefits Offered: At Central States, we are an ESOP. That means each one of our employees is an owner of the company and receives stock every year. This allows all our employees to share in the wealth and success of the company. We also offer: • 401K Match • Medical • Dental • Vision • Holiday pay • Vacation pay • Mental health resources • Healthcare coordinators • Life insurance • Health Savings Accounts • Flexible Spending Account • Short-Term Disability • Long-Term Disability • Profit-Sharing bonus • Performance based merit increases • Education assistance available – Up to $5,250 each year Central States Manufacturing, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.