Switchgear Manager

About Shepherd Electric Supply

Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through.

Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way - safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place.

Why This Role Matters

Switchgear is one of the most technically complex and margin-significant parts of our business. When bids are accurate, competitive, and submitted on time, Shepherd wins projects - and keeps the customers who depend on us to get it right.

The Switchgear Estimating Manager leads the team responsible for that outcome. This is not a back-office role - it is a leadership position that sits at the intersection of technical expertise, customer relationships, and business growth. You oversee estimators, own process quality, and serve as the bridge between customers, sales, engineering, and vendors.

When this function runs well - bids are clean, deadlines are met, and customers trust us with their next project - it becomes one of the most powerful drivers of Shepherd's growth in commercial, industrial, and government markets.

How This Role Connects to Our Compass

We Keep Our Promises: Customers trust Shepherd to deliver accurate bids on time. Your team's estimates are the foundation of that promise - and when something is off, you own the correction, not the excuse.

We Stay Hungry: You are always asking how bids can be faster, more accurate, and more competitive. You surface patterns in misses and wins, push for process improvement, and bring ideas that make Shepherd harder to beat.

We Grow Together: Your estimators grow because you invest in them. You develop technical depth and process discipline on your team so the function does not depend on any one person - including you.

We Own It: Bid accuracy and deadline performance are yours. You do not wait for someone else to flag a problem - you see it, address it, and redesign the process so it does not happen again.

We Go Above & Beyond: You anticipate what customers need before they ask and what competitors will bid before you see their number. You bring differentiated service - technical knowledge, responsiveness, and reliability - that makes Shepherd the obvious call.

Key Outcomes

Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Estimating Accuracy & Bid Quality

• Review project specifications, drawings, and requirements to develop detailed, accurate cost estimates for switchgear systems
• Ensure bids are complete, competitive, and submitted on time - no dropped deadlines, no avoidable errors
• Maintain accuracy standards and review team estimates before submission to catch errors before the customer does

Team Leadership & Development

• Oversee and mentor the switchgear estimating team - providing guidance, training, and direct performance feedback
• Set clear expectations aligned with the Shepherd Compass and hold the team accountable to them
• Develop estimators so the team builds technical depth and can execute without depending on you for every answer
• Participate in executive meetings to represent estimating performance, surface challenges, and contribute to strategic planning

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with sales, engineering, and project management to ensure estimates align with customer needs and company goals
• Serve as the liaison between estimating, customer service, and technical teams to drive customer acquisition and project profitability
• Communicate proactively on bid status, exceptions, and customer escalations - flag issues before they become missed opportunities

Vendor Relationships & Procurement

• Maintain and grow relationships with switchgear vendors and manufacturers to secure competitive pricing and current product information
• Leverage vendor partnerships to differentiate Shepherd's bids on value, availability, and technical fit - not just price
• Stay current on product lines, specifications, and pricing so the team's estimates are always grounded in real-world numbers

Process Improvement & Strategic Growth

• Lead efforts to improve estimating tools, workflows, and accuracy - act on inefficiencies, do not just report them
• Support strategic growth initiatives including market expansion, new customer acquisition, and differentiated service offerings
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and safety regulations across all estimating activities

What Success Looks Like

After 90 days, you and your manager should both be able to point to these markers:

• Bids go out accurately and on time - rework and errors tied to estimating mistakes are rare
• The estimating team knows what is expected and executes without needing to be managed on every bid
• Sales and leadership trust that the estimating function runs correctly and communicates proactively
• Vendor relationships are active and producing competitive pricing that supports win rate
• At least one process improvement has been identified, tested, and implemented in your first 90 days

Who Thrives Here

This role is a strong fit if:

• You are solutions-oriented and customer-focused - you see a customer's problem and work backward to the right bid, not the easiest one
• You take pride in accuracy - an error in a bid is not just a number problem, it is a reliability problem, and you treat it that way
• You lead by developing people, not by doing their work for them - you want a team that improves because you invested in it
• You communicate directly - with customers, with vendors, with sales, and with leadership - and you do not let issues sit
• You are highly motivated and thrive in an environment that rewards ownership, not just activity

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred
• Experience in switchgear estimating, preferably with a background in electrical distribution, manufacturing, or a related field
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical drawings and specifications
• Strong leadership and team management skills with a demonstrated track record of developing people
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable working across departments and with external partners
• Familiarity with vendor relationships and procurement processes in the electrical industry
• Onsite presence required; this is not a hybrid role
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Why Join Shepherd Electric Supply

• Competitive pay with opportunity tied to performance
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Paid vacation and personal time
• 401(k) with employer match
• 130+ years of industry leadership - and we're still growing
• A culture where reliability is noticed, ownership is rewarded, and people come first
• A company scaling into new markets - with real paths to grow with it

Compensation Details: The expected starting rate of pay for this position is $150,000 annually, depending on experience. This position is also commission eligible, based on specific and relevant business metrics.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Shepherd Electric Supply is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply?

At Shepherd Electric Supply, excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892. As the oldest wholesale electrical distributor in the Baltimore/Washington area, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and extensive inventory.

We have a rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton, and our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our legacy!

Apply now and find out what's next for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

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