General Manager

General Manager Job Description

Summary / Objective

The General Manager serves as the primary operational leader of the shop, responsible for overseeing estimating, shop workflow, and daily production operations. This role acts as the central decision-maker for the shop, managing staff, coordinating estimates, and ensuring efficient movement of jobs from intake through completion while reducing operational bottlenecks for ownership.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Oversee and quality-control estimates produced by third-party or remote estimating vendors.
  

• Conduct on-site, time-sensitive (ASAP) estimates; coordinate with remote estimating partners; and negotiate estimates, supplements, and approvals with insurance carriers.
  

• Write, edit, supplement, and approve estimates as needed to ensure accuracy and insurer compliance.
  

• Serve as the primary point of contact for insurers regarding estimates, supplements, and approvals.
  

• Manage shop workflow, job prioritization, and production schedules.
  

• Assign work and provide direction to shop staff and technicians.
  

• Monitor job progress and resolve operational or workflow issues.
  

• Ensure required photos, documentation, and notes support estimates and payments.
  

• Coordinate parts ordering, supplements, and readiness for repair.
  

• Communicate expectations, priorities, and updates to shop employees.
  

• Act as the primary operational funnel, escalating only major issues to ownership.
  

• Support quality control, safety standards, and shop organization.
  

Competencies

• Strong estimating and insurance literacy
  

• Shop workflow and production management experience
  

• Leadership and decision-making skills
  

• Ability to manage competing priorities
  

• Clear, direct communication
  

• Accountability and follow-through
  

Supervisory Responsibility

This position directly supervises shop employees and coordinates the work of third-party estimating vendors.

Work Environment

This job operates in both an office and shop environment. The role routinely uses computers and estimating systems and frequently interacts with technicians and shop operations.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, and use hands. Occasional lifting, bending, and standing in shop environments may be required.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required based on workload and production needs.

Travel

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
  

• Proven Experience managing teams of at minimum 3 employees
  

• Project Management Experience
  

• Minimum of 3 years of estimating or shop management experience
  

• Experience working with insurers and claim documentation
  

Preferred Education & Experience

• Prior general manager, shop lead, or senior estimator experience
  

• Familiarity with common estimating systems and shop management software
  

Work Authorization / Security Clearance