Costing & Estimation Officer (Personal Protective Equipment)

Join our dynamic team as a Costing & Estimation Officer specialising in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As a key contributor, you will leverage your analytical, technical, and commercial insight to produce accurate costings and robust quotations, ensuring our PPE solutions are competitively positioned and aligned with both safety standards and customer expectations. 

Key Responsibilities – PPE Cost Analysis, Estimation & Quotation

• Prepare detailed cost estimations and quotations for a wide portfolio of personal protective equipment, including specialised fire suits, helmets, respiratory protection, gloves, footwear and more.


• Analyse design specifications, materials, and client requirements to determine accurate component, assembly, and production costs.


• Collaborate with procurement to obtain up-to-date prices for raw materials and components, and update costing models accordingly.


• Support cost reduction initiatives by identifying commercial opportunities, alternative materials, and value engineering proposals within PPE portfolios.


• Prepare and review bid documentation, responses to tenders, and bespoke proposals to ensure commercial competitiveness and compliance with relevant standards.


• Liaise internally with sales, technical, and operations teams to confirm project deliverables, timelines, and margin targets for PPE contracts.

Essential Knowledge – Personal Protective Equipment Standards & Materials

• Comprehensive understanding of PPE standards and certification (e.g. EN, ISO, NFPA, or relevant UK regulations).


• Knowledge of industry trends, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements for different categories of protective gear and equipment.


• Ability to interpret technical drawings, product data sheets, and regulatory specifications in forming reliable cost estimations.


• Awareness of supply chain dynamics and the impact of material costs, lead times, and supplier reliability on PPE project pricing.

Collaboration, Communication, and Stakeholder Engagement in PPE Costing

• Present accurate and persuasive quotations and technical proposals to internal and external stakeholders.


• Work cross-functionally with sales, engineering, procurement, and production to capture all necessary inputs for comprehensive cost modelling.


• Maintain positive working relationships with existing suppliers while exploring new vendor options to support business agility and competitiveness.


• Contribute to client meetings and contract reviews, clarifying quotations and providing technical support where required.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills – Cost Estimation Process Optimisation

• Demonstrate strong numerical and analytical skills to review, validate, and optimise cost build-ups.


• Support continuous improvement by evaluating previous projects, updating costing methodologies, and sharing best practice across the team.


• Troubleshoot estimation issues swiftly to resolve discrepancies between estimated and actual project costs.


• Contribute to ongoing system and process enhancements for greater accuracy and efficiency in PPE cost estimation.

Qualifications and Experience – Cost Estimation & Commercial Support for PPE

• Relevant qualification or degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.


• Minimum 2 years’ experience in costing, estimation, or commercial roles within PPE, safety equipment, manufacturing, or similar technical sectors.


• Excellent proficiency with MS Office and commercial estimation tools; familiarity with ERP or costing software an advantage.


• Understanding of procurement, production workflows, and tendering processes in the context of safety and PPE solutions.