Commercial Print Estimator

We are looking for a skilled Commercial Print Estimator to join our team and play a key role in analyzing job specifications, calculating production costs accurately, and preparing competitive, profitable quotes for commercial printing, signage, and marketing materials. This position acts as an essential technical link between Sales, Prepress, and Production teams, ensuring that project budgets align with customer expectations while maintaining company profitability and manufacturing feasibility.

Key Responsibilities:
Job Specification Analysis: Review customer requests, RFQs, technical drawings, and artwork to determine the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes across digital, offset, and large-format printing.
Cost Estimation & Calculations: Accurately calculate costs related to paper stock, substrates, press run times, ink/toner, bindery, and finishing operations including cutting, folding, laminating, saddle stitching, perfect binding, coil binding, and die-cutting.
Proposal & Quote Generation: Prepare and issue detailed and precise quotes and proposals using print management systems (MIS) and Microsoft Excel.
Vendor & Material Sourcing: Request, compare, and negotiate pricing for specialized paper stocks, custom hardware, and outsourced vendor services.
Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with Customer Service Representatives, Sales, and Production Managers to clarify job requirements, adjust parameters, and evaluate production timelines.
Cost Variance Analysis: Compare completed job metrics against initial estimates to identify variances, analyze profitability, and improve future estimating processes.
Pricing System Maintenance: Assist in maintaining and updating costing databases, equipment rates, and paper vendor pricing structures within the estimating system.

Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in print estimating, pre-production, or purchasing within a commercial print shop environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of commercial printing equipment, including digital, inkjet, and wide-format printing, as well as paper sizing, weights, press imposition, and finishing techniques.
- Proficiency in print management and estimating software such as EFI PrintSmith and PrintSpeak (CRM).
- Exceptional mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Details:
This role requires availability for an on-site night shift from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM PKT. The office is located off Shahrah-e-Faisal, PECHS, Karachi. The monthly salary ranges from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000. Candidates should have hands-on experience building estimates in PrintSmith Vision and be proficient in English. This is a full in-person position.

This opportunity is ideal for professionals with a strong background in commercial print estimating who want to contribute to a dynamic team and advance their career within a well-established company.