Manager Estimations & Proposals - Durr Systems Italy S.p.A.

Durr Systems Italy S.p.A., a proud member of the multinational Dürr Group, is a global leader in providing cutting‑edge automotive assembly systems. We deliver highly innovative products and services that cover every critical stage of vehicle production. At Dürr Group, we foster a culture of continuous innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Our employees are empowered to grow professionally and contribute to advanced automotive manufacturing solutions worldwide.

We are looking for an experienced Manager Estimations & Proposals to lead and further develop our estimation and proposal team and activities for complex automotive final assembly projects, including AGV, conveyor, marriage systems, controls, mechanical and electrical scopes. The role is a key interface between Sales, Application Engineering, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Project Management and Controlling. The main objective is to ensure accurate, competitive and traceable cost estimations, structured proposal preparation, and continuous improvement of estimation methods, tools and standards.

Your Tasks

• Lead and coordinate the estimation and proposals team
• Lead and coordinate the full cost-estimation process for assigned customer projects, ensuring accuracy, consistency, competitiveness and transparency.
• Prepare and validate cost breakdowns including equipment, materials, labor, engineering, controls, logistics, services, contingencies and supplier scopes.
• Coordinate estimation inputs from mechanical, electrical, controls, engineering, purchasing and external suppliers.
• Challenge technical concepts and cost assumptions to identify optimization potential and improve commercial competitiveness.
• Support Sales and Key Account Management during RFQ phases, customer clarifications, offer preparation, negotiation rounds and internal approval processes.
• Prepare structured proposal documentation, ensuring full traceability of assumptions, scope definition, exclusions, risks and cost drivers.
• Define and coordinate bid packages for mechanical and controls portions to be shared with suppliers.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Manufacturing to validate supplier cost assumptions and ensure market‑reflective pricing.
• Perform variance analysis between estimated and actual project costs and document lessons learned.
• Maintain, improve and standardize estimation tools, databases, calculation models and proposal templates.
• Drive continuous improvement of estimation processes, including standard calculation methods for AGV, conveyor and other final assembly technologies.
• Act as reference point for estimation methodology, cost structure and proposal quality within the organization.
• Prepare summary reports for management highlighting cost drivers, risks, optimization potential and decision points.
• Support cross‑functional alignment between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Project Management and Controlling from RFQ to project handover.

Your Skills

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation Engineering or comparable technical background.
• Several years of experience in estimation, proposal management, application engineering, project engineering or technical sales within automation, automotive, plant engineering or industrial systems.
• Strong understanding of complex technical systems, preferably in automotive final assembly, AGV systems, conveyor technology, marriage systems, controls or automation.
• Solid knowledge of cost structures, supplier quotations, labor estimation, engineering hours, manufacturing costs and project‑related commercial risks.
• Experience in RFQ handling, offer preparation, customer clarification processes and internal approval workflows.
• Ability to read and understand technical layouts, specifications, scope documents and customer requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to challenge assumptions and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Structured and methodical working style, also under time pressure and with shifting priorities.
• Strong communication skills and confidence in dealing with stakeholders at different organisational levels.
• Ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams without losing ownership of quality, deadlines and commercial accuracy.
• Very good English skills. German is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with estimation tools, ERP systems or calculation databases is a plus.
• Strong ownership mindset and high reliability in meeting deadlines.
• Ability to create structure in complex and fast‑moving quotation environments.
• Clear communication style with internal stakeholders, management and interfaces.
• Hands‑on mentality combined with strategic process improvement mindset.
• Ability to mentor and guide estimation team members and create common standards.
• High resilience, accuracy and business orientation.

Gross Annual Salary (RAL): From 65.000 to 80.000 euros

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