What are the responsibilities and job description for the Estimator position at Puget Collision?
Job Description: Estimator
The Auto Collision Repair Estimator is a skilled hourly/commission position that must be an experienced professional in all aspects of repair planning and proficient in managing most insurance company direct referral programs.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Work Location: Full Time Hourly/Commission
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Perform all assigned responsibilities according to the Company Standard Operating Procedures.
- Greet customers promptly and professionally, assess their needs, and deliver customer service excellence.
- Ability to capture potential business from walk-in or call-in customers by instilling confidence and trust in our company’s abilities. This involves being well-versed in our certifications and insurance partnerships.
- Prioritize jobs based on type of repair and expedite express repairs for cycle time efficiency.
- Inspect, analyze, and evaluate damaged vehicles to create accurate repair estimates.
- Ability to properly identify prior damage through check-in photos and pre-scanning the vehicle.
- Ensure maximum profitability by proper application of labor resources, sales mix, and ensuring repair vs replace.
- Inform customer about the repair process, insurance claim and payment procedures and expected delivery date of repair.
- Function as a primary point of contact for customers, keeping them informed throughout the repair process; ensuring notes in the file are accurate and complete.
- Write a comprehensive auto body collision repair plan after disassembling the vehicle.
- Ensure repairs adhere to OE standards, DRP part choices, refinish guidelines and ADAS requirements for calibrations and scanning.
- Verify quality is checked at each stage of the vehicle repair process.
- Source, order & receive parts according to insurer and company guidelines.
- Ensure accurate final bill and estimate accuracy; sublet posted, all supplements are noted including customer authorizations and parts listed correctly per DRP guidelines.
- Deliver the vehicle to the customer going over the repair, the paperwork and ensuring all final payments are collected.
- Ensure all documentation is scanned into the CCC one file: check-in sheet, estimate, adjusted sheets, invoices, payments, and final bills.
- Maintain an accurate CCC Calendar and review inbox items and DRP portals daily.
- Cultivate strong relationships with DRP, Fleet and Dealer partners, meeting performance metrics and standards.
Key Performance Metrics:
- Achieve monthly and annual sales goals as specified by the shop manager.
- Ensure profitability with Gross Profit of 45% or higher.
- Maintain and Ensure Carrier Performance, including State Farm RPM at 700 or higher.
- Customer Service Index Score 90 for keeping the customer informed, on time deliveries, return rate and Net Promoter Score. Surveys should be a minimum of 40% taken monthly.
- Cycle Time efficiency should be less than the state average.
- Maintain $0 accounts receivable over 31 days and clean files that are ready to close at delivery.
Skills/Technical Qualifications:
- I-CAR Pro-Level 1 certification is mandatory
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in DRP writing is essential.
- Strong relationships with insurance providers are crucial to the success of this position.
- Knowledge of metal/refinish replacement and repair techniques.
- Proficient with both Mitchell and CCC estimating systems, ERAC and DRP management systems.
- Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Interacts effectively with co-workers, customers, and insurance representatives.
- Applies organizational skills to maintain consistency, and efficiency in repair planning process.
- Adheres to the company’s non-disclosure and confidentiality policies concerning customer information.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both office and automotive repair shop environments.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while using a computer, reviewing repair documentation, preparing estimates, and communicating with customers and insurance representatives.
- Ability to stand and walk frequently throughout the workday while inspecting vehicles and monitoring repair progress.
- Ability to move throughout the facility, including production, paint, detail, and parking areas.
- Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, and reach to inspect vehicle damage and repair quality.
- Ability to enter, exit, and maneuver around vehicles of various sizes and configurations.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, including parts, supplies, and equipment.
- Ability to use hands and fingers for typing, data entry, operating estimating software, and handling repair-related documentation.
- Ability to visually inspect vehicle damage, repair procedures, parts, paint conditions, and completed repairs, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision.
- Ability to communicate effectively with customers, technicians, insurance representatives, vendors, and coworkers in person, by telephone, and electronically.
- Ability to safely navigate around moving vehicles, equipment, tools, and active repair operations.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to noise, dust, paint fumes, chemicals, and varying temperatures when working in shop and parking areas while using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
- Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple estimates, supplements, and customer interactions in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Salary : $70,000 - $100,000