Signage Estimator & Vendor Sourcing Specialist - 21506

Signage Estimator & Vendor Sourcing Specialist
About the Company
Our client is a premier custom signage and visual communications center serving commercial businesses, institutions, and real estate developers across the tri-state area. Operating with a hybrid production model—50% in-house manufacturing and 50% project-managed through strategic wholesale fabrication partners—the business delivers high-impact indoor/outdoor signs, channel letters, architectural graphics, dimensional lettering, and digital print solutions.
To support inside sales growth and maintain rapid response times for custom quotes, the company is seeking an experienced Signage Estimator & Vendor Sourcing Specialist with direct sign industry expertise.
Role Overview
We are seeking a technical, detail-oriented Signage Estimator & Vendor Sourcing Specialist to take ownership of custom sign estimation, material sourcing, third-party vendor management, and project handoffs.
In this role, you will serve as an indispensable engine for the inside sales team, handling custom jobs from initial estimate through customer proofing and production release. You will generate precise estimates in CoreBridge, evaluate material specifications (substrates, vinyls, laminates, LEDs, mounting hardware), and manage external wholesale production partners for complex builds. You will leverage modern AI tools like Gemini alongside corporate directories to rapidly identify, qualify, and secure competitive quotes from specialized fabricators.
The ideal candidate is a proactive sign industry professional with 2–5 years of direct experience in sign estimation, pre-production, or project management, possessing deep knowledge of custom sign construction and hands-on experience with CoreBridge or equivalent sign software.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Estimating & CoreBridge Management

• Generate accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates for custom interior and exterior signage projects using CoreBridge software.
• Interpret architectural drawings, design proofs, site survey notes, and client specifications to determine appropriate production methods.
• Calculate material requirements, digital print times, substrate yields, fabrication labor, finishing steps, and installation hardware.
• Build detailed quote proposals and material breakdowns for the inside sales team to present to prospective clients.
• Maintain organized estimating templates, pricing databases, and material cost updates inside CoreBridge.

Outsourced Vendor Sourcing & AI Problem Solving

• Identify, contact, and negotiate competitive pricing and production timelines with wholesale sign fabricators for outsourced jobs (~50% of production volume).
• Utilize AI tools (such as Gemini or ChatGPT) and web research to solve complex custom sign builds and identify specialized vendor capabilities.
• Cross-reference corporate vendor portals and approved partner networks to match unique project requirements with capable manufacturers.
• Evaluate wholesale vendor quotes for quality, accuracy, lead times, and margin goals before finalizing customer pricing.
• Maintain direct communication with external vendors to track order status, proof approvals, and delivery schedules.

Project Management & Customer Communication

• Manage custom sign projects smoothly through the sales-to-production lifecycle: initial estimate → customer proofing → vendor sourcing → production handoff.
• Communicate directly with commercial clients via email and phone to provide project status updates, clarify material specs, and address technical questions.
• Coordinate with internal inside sales reps and in-house production leads to ensure seamless handoffs and clear project specifications.
• Review digital customer proofs for accuracy, dimensions, callouts, and material notes prior to client submission.

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of professional experience in sign shop estimation, pre-production coordination, sign project management, or print operations.
• Thorough technical understanding of sign construction, substrates (acrylic, ACM, PVC, HDU), digital printing, laminates, vinyls, channel letters, dimensional graphics, and installation methods.
• Hands-on proficiency with CoreBridge (or equivalent sign management software like Cyrious/Control, ShopVox, or SignWorks).
• Practical experience using AI tools (Gemini, ChatGPT) for research, vendor sourcing, and technical problem-solving.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills for professional client and vendor interactions.
• Proven ability to manage multi-step project lifecycles from estimate through production release.
• Exceptional attention to detail, spatial awareness, and problem-solving initiative under tight turnaround times.
• Reliable high-speed internet connection and a dedicated workspace.
• Availability to work full-time hours, Monday–Friday, during U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working for a U.S.-based custom sign shop or commercial printing facility.
• Deep familiarity with corporate sign franchise vendor directories and wholesale supply networks.
• Experience communicating directly with commercial property managers, general contractors, and business owners on sign specifications.
• Demonstrated track record of optimizing gross margins through strategic vendor negotiation.

Technology & Tools
Candidates should be proficient with or capable of quickly mastering:

• CoreBridge (Sign Workflow & Estimating Software)
• Gemini & ChatGPT (AI Research & Sourcing Prompting)
• Wholesale Vendor Portals & Corporate Supplier Directories
• PDF Markup & Proof Review Tools (Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam)
• Email & Phone Systems (Google Workspace / Microsoft Outlook / VoIP)

Role Details

• Job Title: Signage Estimator & Vendor Sourcing Specialist
• Experience: 2–5 years
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Schedule: Monday–Friday
• Hours: Full-Time U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Primary Focus: Technical sign estimation (CoreBridge), wholesale vendor sourcing, Gemini AI research, customer status updates, material specification, and project handoffs

What This Role Offers

• Direct ownership over estimation and vendor sourcing for high-volume custom signage projects.
• Exposure to modern sign industry technology, including CoreBridge workflows and AI-assisted sourcing platforms.
• Direct collaboration with an established U.S. sales team and leadership.
• A stable full-time position working consistent U.S. Eastern Standard Time business hours.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a tech-savvy sign industry operator who understands how custom signs are built and knows that speed wins deals.
They do not just read price sheets—they analyze a proof, figure out the necessary substrates and fabrication techniques, and leverage tools like CoreBridge and Gemini AI to find the best production partner in minutes. They communicate clearly with clients and vendors, keep project details organized, and take pride in turning around fast, accurate quotes that help the sales team close business.
Most importantly, they are proactive, detail-oriented, and ready to take ownership of managing an extensive vendor network alongside in-house production.
Success Metrics
Success in this role will be measured by:

• Turnaround speed and accuracy of custom sign estimates generated in CoreBridge.
• Efficiency and quality of wholesale vendor sourcing for non-in-house jobs (~50% volume).
• Margin optimization achieved through strategic vendor quote comparisons.
• Accuracy of project handoffs from estimate to proofing and production release.
• Quality and clarity of client communications regarding project status updates.
• Effective leverage of AI tools (like Gemini) to solve complex fabrication challenges rapidly.