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Job Description
Manufacturing Program Manager & Estimator Our Company Quadrant Tool & Manufacturing Company ("Quadrant") is one of the premier precision machining companies in the Chicagoland area. For over 60 years, we've built our reputation by providing high-quality machined components and assemblies for customers in aero, space, defense, industrial equipment, oil & gas, and other demanding industries. Our team operates state-of-the-art Mazak equipment and specializes in complex, tight-tolerance manufacturing. Many of our employees and customers have been with us for decades, and we're proud to provide a stable, supportive environment where skilled manufacturing professionals can make a meaningful impact. Why Quadrant Family-owned (husband & wife owners - no private equity jerks!) Clean, organized, well-lit shop with heating, air conditioning, and air purification Modern machines, automation, software and paperless workflow Interesting, challenging work with tight tolerances Collaborative team where people help each other succeed Steady work and company stability Many long-term employees, some with 25+ years at Quadrant Paid vacation and holidays Flexible work schedules (see below) Job Summary As we continue to grow, our company aims to: Improve quote turnaround times Focus on estimating accuracy and profitability Create smooth transitions from sales team to production team Increase manufacturing data and planning within ProShop ERP software Capture lessons learned from each job so we can continuously improve Support continued growth from both existing and new customers We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Program Manager & Estimator to help lead this effort. This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys both the technical and operational side of manufacturing. You will lead technical estimating, evaluate customer requirements, support new job launches, analyze completed jobs, and help build scalable systems that allow our company to continue growing. You will work closely with shop management, CAD/CAM programmers, machinists, quality personnel, purchasing, planning, and operations to determine how parts should be manufactured, identify risks before jobs are quoted, and help setup the shop to jobs run as efficiently as possible. We are looking for a technically strong manufacturing professional who understands how parts are made, enjoys solving problems, and wants to play a significant role in the future growth of our company.
Review customer RFQs, drawings, models, and specifications Develop manufacturing strategies for new opportunities Determine machine selection, setup requirements, and manufacturing sequence Estimate setup times, cycle times, labor hours, and material requirements Obtain pricing for raw materials, outside processing, and subcontracted services Identify manufacturing risks and cost drivers during the quoting process Support rapid quote turnaround while maintaining profitability and accuracy
Contract Review & Customer Requirements:
Review customer quality clauses, specifications, and contractual requirements Identify DFARS, ITAR, traceability, certification, and documentation requirements Evaluate requirements for first article inspection, source inspection, and IPC Coordinate with Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to ensure requirements are incorporated into estimates and production planning Participate in contract review activities prior to order acceptance
Program Management & Job Launch:
Lead sales-to-production handoff activities Support new product introduction and manufacturing launch activities Develop manufacturing plans and routing strategies Coordinate customer requirements across Quality, Purchasing, Programming, and Operations Coordinate outsourced manufacturing and special processing activities
Job Cost Analysis & Continuous Improvement:
Review completed jobs and compare actual performance against quoted estimates Analyze setup, cycle time, labor, material, quality, and schedule variances Document lessons learned and process improvements for future production runs Maintain manufacturing knowledge and historical job data within our ProShop ERP software Strive to improve routing accuracy, estimating standards, and manufacturing processes Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, information flow, and profitability
Manufacturing Planning Support:
Support development and maintenance of routings and bills of material Assist with production planning and capacity review activities Ensure manufacturing plans meet customer, quality, and operational requirements Help establish scalable systems and processes as the company continues to grow
Qualifications Required:
10+ years of manufacturing experience Estimating experience with complex parts in a machine shop environment Strong understanding of CNC machining processes including 3X, 4X and 5X milling, turning, mill-turning, surface grinding, wire EDM, and complex assembly Experience in an AS9100 aerospace and defense environment Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T Experience evaluating manufacturing methods, setup requirements, and production processes Strong organizational and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and collaboration abilities Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word and Excel Fluent in English (spoken and written)
Preferred:
Previous role as a Manufacturing Engineering and/or CAM CAM Programmer Familiarity with Mastercam 2025 and/or Fusion 360 Experience with ProShop ERP or similar manufacturing software Experience reviewing customer quality requirements and specifications Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience APICS, Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, or similar certifications What Success Looks Like In this role, you will aim for: Fast quote turnaround times Estimating accuracy and profitability Minimal surprises during production of new parts Smooth transitions from quote to production Documented lessons learned from completed jobs Customer responsiveness and program execution New systems and processes needed for the next phase of company growth ITAR Requirement This position requires compliance with U.S. export control laws under ITAR. Applicants must be "U.S. Persons" as defined by ITAR, which includes: (a) U.S. citizen, (b) U.S. national, (c) lawful permanent resident, or (d) individuals lawfully admitted as refugees or asylees. Please be prepared to prove that you satisfy one of these requirements. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary based on experience Annual cost-of-living review and increases Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid vacation + 10 paid holidays FSA or HSA options Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Tuition reimbursement and training opportunities Employee discounts through suppliers Stable, long-term work in a supportive environment Work Schedule You may choose one of the following work schedules: (A) Mon-Thur @ 9 hrs + Fri @ 4 hrs = 40 hrs base schedule >>> Start the weekends early! >>> Choose your start time between 6am and 7am (B) Mon-Fri @ 8 hrs = 40 hrs base schedule >>> Get home early every day! >>> Choose your start time between 6am and 8am Closing Statement If you enjoy solving manufacturing challenges, evaluating how complex parts should be made, improving systems and processes, and helping build the next phase of a respected precision machining company, we'd like to talk.
Pay:
$50.00 - $65.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
