Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Estimates labor and material costs for printing services based on the customer specifications.

Qualifications

Three years business experience with at least 2 years preferably in a printing environment, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); attention to detail; experience with accounting functions required. Demonstrated human relations, mathematical and analytical skills; and a commitment to provide excellent customer service are also required. Estimating and billing experience preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Estimates labor and material costs of all printing projects based on customer specifications, internal production standards and competitive pricing. Estimates costs for printing jobs handled by outside contractors.
2. Prices jobs already printed using similar methods. Confirms accounts payable for buyouts and bills jobs to clients.
3. Works with clients or customer service representatives to establish specifications and compute unit and job-lot production costs in order to determine the most economical way of producing a finished product.
4. Confers with department personnel and customers to confirm information regarding cost elements such as additional costs for special projects or deviations from the original order.
5. May act as a customer service representative for clients on campus and maintain quality control for printing projects.
6. Analyzes data received by the shop information system to determine if shop pricing is applicable and reasonable. Implements changes in production standards, pricing, and production methods.
7. Maintains revenue information in order to prepare and evaluate profit and loss statements. Reconciles billing logs with account summaries.
8. Manages subcontract accounts to ensure all subcontracting billing information is accurate and subcontractors are charging expected or reasonable prices.
9. Keeps track of jobs-in-process and determines the work-in-process dollar amount each month for use in profit and loss statements.
10. Fills in for other printing service personnel as needed.

Problem Solving

The incumbent has authority to act independently within the responsibilities assigned and schedule, prioritize and organize his/her own work load. This position has a significant impact on the financial welfare of Printing Services since he/she estimates and bills for work completed. This position examines specifications and calculates production costs to determine the most cost-effective way to produce a printing project for patrons. He/she is responsible to ensure the customer is charged according to the original estimate. The incumbent makes recommendations but does not determine policies concerning billing, estimating and setting of production standards.

The incumbent may need to resolve conflicts between actual shop production data and production standards by suggesting new standards or pricing in variance to standards if the case is justified. Another challenge presented would be reconciling differences between actual and estimated prices, and determining if the finished product adheres to the estimate's specifications. The incumbent may also need to resolve, with the customer service representative, questions or disputes in billing with clients or subcontractors. Another problem is determining if production standards need adjusting by analyzing actual versus estimated costs and prices on a job-by-job basis.

The incumbent keeps logs recording paper use, revenue, subcontracting, spoilage, estimate/billing and specific job types.

Comments

The responsibility of translating a printing job into specifications requires specialized skill, knowledge and technical expertise. It involves a decision making process in which the estimator must recognize the possibilities, complexities and levels of difficulty which are inherent in the printing process.

Printing needs are first obtained from the client, analyzed and a finished project envisioned. Specifications must then be written and ultimately a dollar cost assigned.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.