Manager, Vehicle Preparation

Calspan LLC•Buffalo, NY

4d•$93,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Vehicle Preparation leads a skilled, multidisciplinary technician team responsible for preparing vehicles for automotive crash safety testing in Calspan’s state-of-the-art crash test facility. This customer-facing role operates in a fast-paced environment where priorities, schedules, technical direction, and customer requirements change frequently, requiring strong leadership, coordination, and clear communication. The Manager ensures vehicles are ready for testing in accordance with customer requirements. With customers frequently onsite, this position serves as a key operational contact while coordinating closely with technicians, engineering, test operations, and other departments to support on-time execution and customer delight.

Requirements

Associate degree, technical degree, or equivalent combination of education and relevant automotive, mechanical, or technical experience.
5+ years of experience in automotive industry or experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams.
Understanding of automotive systems, vehicle construction, and mechanical repair/assembly.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple activities in a deadline-driven environment.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to read and interpret technical documents, wiring diagrams, drawings, procedures, and work instructions.
Proficiency with standard computer applications and the ability to learn company-specific systems.
Ability to work in vehicle preparation and automotive test environment.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and work around vehicles and equipment for extended periods.
Ability to occasionally lift and move automotive components, tools, and equipment.
Ability to work in environments where noise, vehicle exhaust, shop conditions, and temperature variations may be present.
Ability to work flexible hours or extended hours as required to support customer testing schedules.

Responsibilities

Lead, supervise, and develop a team of (20) technicians
Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Establish daily and weekly priorities based on the overall automotive testing schedule and customer requirements.
Train, coach, and mentor employees to develop technical capabilities and promote cross-functional knowledge.
Assign personnel and resources to vehicle preparation activities based on workload, technician qualifications, and project priorities.
Monitor individual and team performance, productivity, quality, and adherence to established procedures.
Identify staffing, training, tooling, and equipment needs and communicate requirements to leadership.
Oversee preparation of test vehicles, including inspection, disassembly, modifications, component installation/removal, and other work required to prepare vehicles for testing.
Ensure vehicles are prepared in accordance with test specifications, customer instructions, engineering requirements, and internal procedures.
Verify that required parts, components, tooling, and materials are available prior to beginning vehicle preparation.
Coordinate troubleshooting and resolution of issues, questions or clarifications that could delay or affect testing.
Schedule and coordinate technicians across various specialties to ensure vehicles are sequenced and completed in efficient manner
Ensure proper documentation of vehicle condition, modifications, and preparation activities.
Develop and manage daily work priorities with Lead technicians to ensure vehicles are test-ready when required.
Monitor vehicle status throughout the preparation process and proactively identify schedule risks.
Ensure preparation activities are completed in timely manner within teams to minimize downtime, rework, and test delays.
Communicate status, constraints, and schedule changes to appropriate internal stakeholders.
Establish and maintain quality control processes for vehicle preparation activities.
Investigate preparation errors, deficiencies, or repeat issues and implement corrective actions.
Promote disciplined work practices and continuous improvement.
Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure employees follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Conduct or support job hazard assessments and implement appropriate controls.
Address unsafe conditions and behaviors promptly.
Ensure technicians receive appropriate safety and technical training.
Identify opportunities to improve vehicle preparation safety, processes, workflow, and staff utilization.
Develop and implement standardized processes and best practices across vehicle preparation activities.
Promote cross-training and flexibility among team members to improve resource utilization.
Participate in process improvement and capital projects related to vehicle preparation operations.