Collision Repair Planner/Estimator
About The Position
Specialized Auto Craft is seeking an experienced Collision Repair Planner / Estimator to join their team in Chatham, NJ. This role is crucial for ensuring quality, teamwork, and OEM-standard repairs. The ideal candidate will collaborate with technicians and the estimating team to create comprehensive repair plans, manage insurance claims, communicate with customers, and maintain efficient vehicle repair flow. This is a hands-on position that requires more than just initial estimates; it involves thorough disassembly, damage identification, OEM procedure research, documentation, communication, and active management of the repair plan throughout the entire repair process.
Requirements
- Previous collision repair estimating and/or repair planning experience required.
- Strong understanding of collision repair processes, including body, structural, mechanical, and refinish operations.
- Experience writing estimates and developing detailed repair plans.
- Experience researching and applying OEM repair procedures.
- Familiarity with modern vehicle diagnostics, scanning, ADAS calibrations, and structural measurement.
- Ability to effectively communicate with customers, insurance companies, appraisers, and technicians.
- Excellent organizational, documentation, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple active repairs and identify issues before they create production delays.
- Prior experience using CCC ONE for collision estimating and repair planning required.
- Positive attitude with strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Nice To Haves
- I-CAR certifications or OEM training preferred, or willingness to obtain.
Responsibilities
- Perform estimating and detailed repair planning to ensure accurate and efficient repairs.
- Work directly with technicians during disassembly to identify additional damage and repair requirements.
- Keep repair plans current as additional damage and required operations are identified.
- Research OEM repair procedures, position statements, and manufacturer requirements.
- Identify required parts, procedures, scans, calibrations, measurements, inspections, and sublet operations.
- Prepare and manage supplements with insurance companies and appraisers.
- Review insurance estimates and supplements for missing or incomplete repair operations.
- Maintain accurate documentation, photographs, repair procedures, and supporting information within the repair file.
- Follow up on outstanding supplements, approvals, parts, and other items that could delay the repair.
- Effectively communicate with customers regarding repair plans, timelines, additional damage, and repair progress.
- Coordinate with body technicians, painters, estimators, parts, and sublet vendors to help maintain efficient production flow.
- Monitor active repairs and communicate potential delays or workflow concerns to the team.
- Assist with daily production coordination and prioritization of repairs.
- Help ensure technicians have the information, documentation, parts, and approvals necessary to continue repairs efficiently.
- Maintain strong communication with the team to help keep production running smoothly.
Benefits
- Competitive pay based on experience and performance.
- Paid training and certification opportunities.
- Supportive, professional, family-style work environment.
- Opportunity to grow into greater operational and production responsibilities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
