Senior Claims Manager- Dearborn

Auto Warehousing Company•Dearborn, MI

17d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Claims Manager provides strategic leadership for AWC’s company-wide claims management function, covering vehicle and equipment damage, customer cargo damage, general liability, physical security, theft prevention, and other insured and self-administered claims across company operations. The role develops and executes the organization’s claims management strategy to support timely, consistent, and cost-effective claim administration, minimize financial exposure, and promote operational excellence. It leads Safety and Claims Managers and other professionals, partners with operations leadership, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, legal counsel, and customers, and serves as the company’s subject matter expert on claims management and loss mitigation. In collaboration with the VP Safety, Claims, and Risk Management, the role focuses primarily on claims administration, litigation management, insurance relationships, financial stewardship, and company-wide risk reduction. The position is based at AWC’s regional office in Dearborn, Michigan, in a hybrid setting with three days per week at the Dearborn office. It is salaried and eligible for a yearly bonus. Frequent overnight travel of approximately 30–50% is required to support company facilities, investigate significant claims, conduct audits, and meet with operations leadership. Work takes place in office settings and active industrial operations, including exposure to outdoor weather. Occasional responses to significant incidents outside normal business hours may be required. Regular computer use includes reporting systems, Microsoft Office applications, and claims management software.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in claims management, risk management, insurance administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of leadership experience managing claims professionals or multi-site claims operations.
Strong knowledge of claims administration, litigation management, insurance principles, reserving practices, and loss analysis.
Experience partnering with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, brokers, legal counsel, and regulatory agencies.
Demonstrated success reducing claims costs and improving claims outcomes through analytics, process improvement, and operational partnerships.
Experience managing large claim portfolios and reviewing reserve recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with executives, customers, attorneys, insurance professionals, and operational leaders.
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
Excellent judgment, problem-solving ability, and decision-making skills involving high-value or complex claims.
High level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and confidentiality.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, reporting tools, and claims management systems.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in risk management, business administration, occupational safety, insurance, or a related field preferred.
Knowledge of transportation or industrial operations preferred.
Experience overseeing corporate security, theft prevention, loss prevention, or physical security programs in a multi-site industrial, transportation, manufacturing, or logistics environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the company-wide claims management program, including automobile liability, property damage, cargo damage, customer claims, and general liability.
Supervise, coach, and develop regional Safety and Claims Managers and other professionals; establish consistent claims practices, performance expectations, and handling standards.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide claims policies, procedures, standards, systems, and best practices.
Oversee significant claims and incidents from initial reporting through resolution, including investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, reserve reviews, settlement recommendations, litigation strategy, and claim closure.
Analyze claims, litigation, loss, and cost trends; prepare executive reporting, dashboards, performance metrics, and key performance indicators; and implement technology, process improvements, and cost-reduction strategies.
Oversee customer damage claims, including rail transportation damage, vehicle damage, cargo claims, and quality-related investigations; ensure timely resolution and consistent customer communication.
Support insurance renewals by providing loss analyses, claim summaries, and underwriting documentation.
Support corporate physical security and theft prevention programs; partner with Operations and Safety to investigate theft, vandalism, security breaches, and other significant incidents; analyze trends and implement risk-reduction improvements.
Assist in developing claims administration, insurance, and risk management budgets.
Support customer implementations and facility startups by evaluating claims and risk exposures.
Stay current on liability regulations, insurance practices, and industry trends affecting claims administration.
Perform other duties as requested.