Role: Design Estimator

Brand: Cox London, Furniture and Lighting

Salary: Competitive to reflect experience  

Location: London N179QU

Hours: 37.5 hours per week    

Cox London are designer-makers of unique custom-made furniture and lighting. Sculptors Christopher and Nicola Cox, the founders of the company, began making furniture and lighting in the mid 1990’s, bonding over a shared love of the decorative arts. Today their pieces can be found in some of the most fascinating and beautiful properties in the world.

The Job

Cox London is recruiting for a Design Estimator to join our creative and friendly team.  This important role will be responsible for raising quotations for the purpose of pricing up custom or bespoke items of furniture and lighting as well as annually reviewing the cost of production of company designs. You will work closely with the Production Team and the CAD Designer to ascertain the cost of producing unique items of design. You will need to collect and analyse data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labour required to manufacture a product. You will be issuing quotations to the Sales Team under the guidance of the Creative and Sales Director as well as working closely with the Operations Director on systems and processes.

As our Design Estimator you will need to ensure clear instruction for manufacturing processes and accurate purchasing information is given to enable an order to be produced in full, on time and within specification according to budgeted costs.  You will maintain a company database keeping information on reliable, high quality and cost effective suppliers for components or raw materials utilised in the in-house manufacturing of company products. You will also be sourcing sub-contracted outsourced production of certain elements and processes with an emphasis on retaining the integrity, quality and exclusivity of the design.  You will present a professional smart appearance at all times upholding the company image

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Consult with technical experts to discuss estimates and resolve issues
• Identify and quantify cost factors, such as production time and raw material, equipment, and labour expenses, undertaking research where necessary
• Read off-plan and CAD technical documents to prepare estimates
• Collaborate with Production Management, Technicians, Designer, Company Directors and Sales Team
• Maintain job templates and quotation details
• Produce reports in Excel for company Directors to analyse financial results of production.
• Evaluate a product’s cost effectiveness or profitability and recommend ways to make a product more cost effective or profitable
• Build strong positive relationships with existing company suppliers to obtain quotations on component parts and sourcing new and appropriate suppliers
• Cost existing Cox London catalogue collection and re check costs throughout the year, alerting significant changes to the Creative and Operations Directors.
• Price checking and inputting of materials and component costs into company data base
• Collecting up to date quotations from material suppliers and sub-contractors
• Helping with bids for new projects and support buying activities in production

Experience

• Experience desirable of estimating/costing and design within manufacturing of interior products for the luxury goods design sector.
• 5 years plus experience is desirable

Key skills and attitude

• Detailed knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and costs
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills towards excel (intermediate to advanced level)
• An awareness of regulations, price trends and exchange rates
• Analytical, problem solving and time management skills
• The ability to meet deadlines
• Fluent spoken and written English, with excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be able to write detailed reports to help determine whether or not contracts for bespoke pieces are awarded or products are manufactured.
• Flexible and a can do positive attitude
• An understanding of the importance of discretion
• Smart, calm and professional manner

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education in Design or similar
• A strong ability in mathematics is essential.

How to Apply

If you believe you have the skills and experience required to join our team as a Design Estimator then please click apply and upload your CV now.