Estimator/Auditor II (Manheim)

Cox Communications • Matteson, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This role supports Recon Operations by coordinating vehicles for sublet and off-site repairs, acting as a liaison between various departments and external vendors to ensure seamless operations. The position involves monitoring vehicle progress through the recon pipeline to reduce cycle time and enhance throughput, assisting in workflow coordination, and maintaining communication with auction and recon departments for proper vehicle movement and timely service completion. Key responsibilities include preparing accurate reconditioning estimates for various services and customer types, ensuring estimates align with internal standards and client SLAs, and monitoring repair approvals and status. The role also involves auditing estimates, completed repairs, and vendor invoices for accuracy and compliance, conducting condition report and imaging audits, and examining vehicles to verify repair quality. Client and vendor engagement is crucial, serving as a primary point of contact for resolving recon-related issues, providing customer service, building vendor relationships, and educating clients on processes. The position requires strict adherence to company policies, recon standards, safety guidelines, and client SLAs, with a working knowledge of condition report data and vehicle inspections. Accurate record-keeping within relevant systems and effective use of Microsoft Office are also essential.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED and 3 years' experience in a related field.
• OR any level degree/certification beyond a HS diploma/GED in a related discipline; OR 5 years' experience in a related field.
• Prior experience with vehicle reconditioning, estimating, auditing, or general automotive repair.
• Strong working knowledge of automotive repair methods, labor times, and parts pricing.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must clear a pre-employment drug test.
• Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• No remote option; must work at a specified Cox location

Responsibilities

• Coordinate vehicles sent for sublet and off-site repairs, ensuring accurate tracking and consistent communication with vendors.
• Act as a liaison between Client Services, recon teams, mechanical shops, and external vendors to ensure seamless day‑to‑day operations.
• Monitor vehicle progress through the recon pipeline to support cycle-time reduction and throughput goals.
• Assist in workflow coordination across departments to enhance operational efficiency and minimize delays.
• Maintain direct communication with auction and recon departments to ensure proper vehicle movement, prioritization, and timely service completion.
• Prepare accurate and detailed reconditioning estimates for mechanical, cosmetic, structural, and other recon services.
• Produce estimates for commercial, dealer, rental, retail customers, as well as internal or lot damage repairs.
• Ensure estimating aligns with internal standards, client SLAs, and cost control expectations.
• Communicate estimates in required formats (electronic systems, email, written documentation) to meet internal and external customer needs.
• Collaborate with Procurement/Purchasing to validate correct parts pricing and labor costs within estimates.
• Monitor repair approvals, repair status, completion timelines, transportation needs, and customer updates as directed by management.
• Audit estimates, completed repairs, and vendor invoices to ensure accuracy, completeness, and policy compliance.
• Conduct condition report and imaging audits to reduce risk exposure, goodwill expense, and policy loss.
• Examine vehicles to verify repair quality, scope accuracy, prior damage, and compliance with recon standards.
• Identify discrepancies related to labor hours, parts usage, pricing, or non-approved repairs.
• Enforce adherence to recon guidelines, safety standards, and client-specific requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for resolving recon-related issues for assigned accounts.
• Provide exceptional customer service by promptly addressing vehicle condition questions or discrepancies.
• Build strong working relationships with vendors to support quality, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Educate clients on auction and recon processes and recommend recon services that enhance vehicle value.
• Support resolution of complex recon challenges through collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Maintain strict adherence to company policies, recon standards, safety guidelines, and client SLAs.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of condition report data, vehicle inspections, and identifying prior repairs (paintwork, body repair, frame damage, PDR, etc.).
• Ensure proper documentation and compliance with privacy and PII policies when applicable.
• Maintain accurate records within recon, estimating, and inventory management systems.
• Use Microsoft Office and internal systems effectively to document estimates, audits, and tracking data.

Benefits

• Employees are eligible to receive a minimum of sixteen hours of paid time off every month and seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
• health care insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• retirement planning (401(k))
• paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED