Our company culture is built upon YKK’s philosophy called the CYCLE OF GOODNESS™.  We believe that providing value and being fair to our customers and our employees is what makes us a successful company in return.  Guided by our core values and fundamental behaviors, we strive to foster a caring company, committed employees and challenging work that benefits our employees, customers, and communities. We offer competitive compensation packages, training and advancement opportunities. YKK AP America provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide the security they need to enjoy life at home and at work.  By providing a high level of benefit coverage at a reasonable cost to the employee, we hope to foster a long and productive employment relationship.

Summary:

This position is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external customers while performing estimating work at all levels of complexity. The Lead Estimator will partner with the business unit manager in the interview and hiring process and support the ongoing professional development of the estimating team without direct supervisory authority.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Review and triage incoming requests for quotations and revisions; assigning work appropriately across the estimating team to meet scheduled bid dates.
• Collaborate with the business unit manager and estimating staff to support workload planning, knowledge sharing, and consistent estimating practices; provide technical guidance as needed to provide accurate estimates.   
• Review architectural plans, specifications, and related data to determine product(s) as well as bill of material requirements; prepare detailed, itemized cost estimates. Consultation with the Application Engineer as needed to provide for direction on product selection, project specific structural requirements, internal reinforcing as well as custom details.
• Consult with customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to clarify project requirements, for the development of inclusive and accurate estimates, and resolve scope and/or pricing issues in advance of bid date.
• Interface with internal departments to obtain required information, support, and alignment related to estimates, schedules, and project requirements.
• Compute cost factors and trends. Prepare estimates used for management purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work; preparing bids; selecting vendors or subcontractors; and determining cost effectiveness.
• Ensure all team estimates are accurate, complete, and aligned with the business unit’s sales strategy
• Collaborate with the business unit manager to evaluate department performance and address performance gaps through coaching and corrective guidance
• Perform estimating duties at all levels as needed, including tasks typically handled by Associate Estimators, Estimators/Project Estimators, and Senior Estimators/Senior Project Estimators

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school in construction, estimating or a related field
• 3-5 years of related experience in commercial glazing, commercial or residential construction, building facade systems, or architectural aluminum industry
• Experience with computer-aided drafting (CAD) and proficiency in estimating software required
• Ability to read architectural drawings and specifications required
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong work ethic and high level of self-motivation
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, and meeting deadlines
• Solid customer service and communication skills

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  An individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Proper lifting techniques required.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.  While performing the duties of this job, an individual is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  An individual is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.  An individual is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Travel Requirements:

The travel required for this position is less than 10%.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Individuals are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at designated times and in specified environments in accordance with established safety program requirements. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate. While performing job duties, individuals may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts.

Legal Notice:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the job and the responsibilities to be performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. YKK AP America Inc. reserves the right to add or remove duties or otherwise modify this job description at any time in its sole discretion. Employment with YKK AP America Inc. is at-will. Nothing in this job description is intended to create a contract of employment, guarantee employment for any definite period of time, or otherwise modify the at-will nature of employment with the Company. The essential functions of this position are set forth in the above job description and may be subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law. To qualify for this position, an employee or applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.  YKK AP America Inc.  The Company prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.