Technical Estimator

About Oliver Valves Limited

Oliver Valves Limited is a distinguished company with over 45 years of experience in valve technology, recognized globally for designing, manufacturing, and supplying premium valve systems. Serving sectors such as oil and gas and petrochemical, the company holds prestigious awards for export, manufacturing, and industrial growth, including the Queens Award and Kings Award for Industry. As a profitable and privately held enterprise, Oliver Valves is seeking skilled professionals to help achieve strategic growth.

Role Overview

Based at the Parkgate Industrial Estate in Knutsford, the Technical Estimator will operate within standard office hours from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This position acts as a crucial link between engineering and purchasing teams for high-value projects. Reporting to the Head of Purchasing, the role entails taking charge of commodity pricing—especially for forgings, fasteners, and bar materials—and actively reducing total acquisition costs without compromising quality.

Primary Duties

• Produce precise and competitive quotations by analyzing valve drawings to identify machining hours and material expenses.
• Continuously work to minimize costs related to raw materials, labor, machining operations, and finished parts.
• Monitor and assess supplier capabilities to improve lead times, thereby maintaining flexible production schedules.
• Facilitate clear communication and coordination between the supply chain and internal departments to ensure smooth manufacturing progress.
• Guarantee that all priced components comply strictly with their technical and quality requirements.

Candidate Profile

• Possess a strong engineering or machine shop background enabling accurate interpretation of machining drawings.
• Demonstrate a solid knowledge of commodity markets and metal industry standards.
• Skilled in negotiating with vendors and internal stakeholders to improve cost efficiency and reduce lead times.
• Experienced in integrated ERP systems, with Syteline familiarity preferred, and proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Exhibit exceptional organizational and analytical skills, supporting the adoption of effective costing strategies.
• Have direct experience in commodity management with measurable success in lowering acquisition expenses.
• Background working in or closely with machine shops and handling significant expenditure in dynamic engineering settings.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with experience and skill level.
• Eligibility for a discretionary bonus after completing one year of service.
• Generous annual leave of 31 days (including bank holidays), with increases based on length of service.
• Contributory pension plan featuring 5% employee and 4% employer contributions.
• Medical cash plan covering essential health-related expenses such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, and routine check-ups.
• Recognition through long service awards.
• Access to confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal support.

Working Conditions

The role is office-based at Knutsford, requiring presence Monday to Friday during business hours.

Application Process

Interested candidates should provide a CV and a concise cover letter detailing their experience with costing machined components.