Estimator - Gear Department

Why This Role Matters

The Gear Department is where some of Shepherd's most complex, high-stakes work gets done. When a contractor needs electrical gear configured, priced, and delivered to spec, the estimate is the foundation everything else is built on. Get it right and the project keeps moving; get it wrong and the cost compounds at every step downstream.

The Gear Estimator owns that foundation. Working closely with contractors, vendors, and the Gear team, this role takes a project from technical document review through pricing, negotiation, and coordination - making sure the details are right, the timeline holds, and the customer has confidence Shepherd will come through. This is a role for someone who takes ownership of outcomes, not just tasks, as project volume and complexity continue to grow.

How This Role Connects to Our Compass

• We Keep Our Promises: Your estimates are the commitments the rest of the project is built on. When you quote a configuration, a price, or a lead time, contractors plan around it. You make sure what you promise is what gets delivered.
• We Stay Hungry: You stay current on products, manufacturers, and pricing - and you keep looking for better ways to solve. You treat every lost bid as a lesson and every win as a standard to beat.
• We Grow Together: You partner with the Gear team, Sales staff, and manufacturers to win work and deliver it well. You share what you know so the whole department gets sharper - not just your desk.
• We Own It: You own each project from spec review to closed order. When something is off - a spec conflict, a pricing gap, a timeline risk - you flag it early and drive it to resolution. You do not wait to be told.
• We Go Above & Beyond: You see the problem in the drawings before it shows up at the job site. Customers notice the difference between a quote and a partner who understands their project - and they call us again.
• Key Outcomes
• Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Accurate, Competitive Estimates

• Own project estimation end to end - technical document review, product selection, pricing, and order negotiation
• Interpret plans and specifications to select the right products for the application - catch issues at the estimate, not at the job site
• Use configuration and pricing software to build estimates that are both accurate and competitive

Project Coordination & Follow-Through

• Direct and coordinate manufacturers so goals are met within the prescribed timeline and budget
• Confer with project staff, contractors, and manufacturers to outline work plans and assign responsibilities and scope

Customer Confidence

• Guide customers through equipment selection, quote review, and customized solutions tailored to project requirements
• Deliver reliable, timely communication that builds customer confidence and satisfaction
• Prepare clear project reports for management, customers, and others who depend on them

Problem-Solving & Communication

• Flag issues early - pricing gaps, spec conflicts, timeline risks - before they compound
• Confer with project personnel to provide technical advice and resolve problems as they arise
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with contractors and vendors that hold up under pressure

Negotiation & Winning

The job isn't to quote - it's to win the order.

• Turn an accurate quote into a closed order - pair pricing precision with a real read on the customer's scope and on-site needs to win the work
• Partner with the Gear team and our experienced Sales staff to close orders and earn repeat business

What Success Looks Like

After 90 days, you and your manager should both be able to point to these markers:

• Your estimates are accurate and competitive, and they convert - you're closing orders, not just sending quotes
• Projects you coordinate stay on schedule and within budget, with no surprises late in the process
• Contractors and vendors trust your judgment and seek you out as a partner
• Customers have confidence in Shepherd because of how you communicate and follow through
• You take ownership of problems and resolve them without waiting to be told

Who Thrives Here

This role is a strong fit if

• You want to do meaningful, complex work - not just process orders
• You take pride in accuracy and care whether things are done right the first time
• You are organized, detail-oriented, and steady when timelines get tight
• You communicate clearly and speak up when something is off
• You are curious about the products and the work, and you keep looking for better ways to solve
• You take ownership and follow through without being asked twice

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 5+ years in the electrical industry preferred; aptitude and reliability matter as much as years
• Ability to interpret technical documents and specifications to select appropriate products
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to getting things right the first time
• Proficiency with standard software applications; experience with Eclipse is a plus
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Compensation Details

The expected base salary for this position is $115,000 - $125,000 annually depending on experience.