Estimator

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n \n \n \n \n Body Shop Estimator / File Handler\n Company: Eli's Auto CenterLocation: Los Angeles / Inglewood, CaliforniaEmployment Type: Full-TimeDepartment: Collision Repair OperationsReports To: Shop Manager\n Position Summary\n The Body Shop Estimator / File Handler is responsible for the comprehensive management of assigned collision repair files, ensuring estimating accuracy, repair profitability, operational efficiency, and adherence to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) repair procedures and certification standards.\n This position serves as a key liaison between customers, insurance carriers, production personnel, and internal support teams to facilitate safe, complete, and timely vehicle repairs. The Estimator / File Handler is accountable for identifying and documenting all necessary repair operations, negotiating appropriate insurance compensation, managing supplements, monitoring repair progress, and ensuring the financial and administrative accuracy of each assigned repair order.\n Operating within an OEM-certified, non-Direct Repair Program (non-DRP) environment, the position requires strong technical estimating knowledge, sound financial judgment, effective negotiation skills, and a commitment to manufacturer-approved repair methods.\n The Estimator / File Handler works independently while coordinating with Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), blueprint technicians, parts personnel, and production management. Depending on operational demands, the position may provide functional direction and delegate administrative tasks to designated CSR support personnel but does not hold formal supervisory authority.Essential Duties and Responsibilities1. Estimating, Repair Planning & Accuracy\n \n \n Prepare, review, and manage accurate and comprehensive collision repair estimates using CCC ONE estimating software.\n \n Identify and document all necessary repair operations, including structural, mechanical, refinishing, diagnostic, calibration, and manufacturer-required procedures.\n \n Review initial estimates and blueprint findings to identify missed operations, labor discrepancies, parts requirements, and supplemental repair needs.\n \n Research and apply current OEM repair procedures, technical information, and manufacturer specifications to support accurate repair planning.\n \n Collaborate with blueprint technicians and production personnel to develop complete repair plans before and throughout the repair process.\n \n Evaluate repair-versus-replacement decisions in accordance with applicable OEM requirements and safe repair practices.\n \n Ensure estimates and supplements accurately reflect necessary labor, materials, parts, sublet operations, and required procedures.\n \n Maintain consistency, accuracy, and thoroughness throughout the estimating and supplement process.\n 2. OEM Compliance & Repair Integrity\n \n \n Ensure assigned repair files and estimates comply with applicable OEM repair procedures, manufacturer specifications, and certification requirements.\n \n Research and document manufacturer-required repair methods, including structural procedures, sectioning restrictions, ADAS calibrations, scanning, and safety system requirements.\n \n Maintain supporting documentation for repair decisions, required procedures, and insurance supplement negotiations.\n \n Advocate for safe, complete, and manufacturer-compliant repairs when addressing insurance carrier questions or payment disputes.\n \n Coordinate with blueprinting, production, and quality-control personnel to verify that repair plans accurately reflect manufacturer requirements.\n \n Identify potential deviations from OEM procedures and promptly escalate concerns to appropriate management.\n \n Support ongoing compliance with applicable OEM certification program standards.\n 3. Insurance Relations & Supplement Management\n \n \n Serve as the primary point of contact for insurance representatives and adjusters regarding assigned repair files.\n \n Prepare, submit, negotiate, and follow up on supplements to secure appropriate payment for necessary and documented repair operations.\n \n Provide supporting documentation, OEM procedures, photographs, invoices, and technical explanations to substantiate repair requirements.\n \n Identify underpayments, omitted operations, labor discrepancies, and other estimating issues affecting repair file accuracy or profitability.\n \n Maintain professional and effective working relationships with insurance carriers while protecting the company's repair standards and financial interests.\n \n Proactively resolve outstanding insurance approvals and payment issues to minimize repair delays.\n \n Escalate unresolved disputes, coverage concerns, or significant financial discrepancies to management.\n \n Ensure all negotiations, approvals, denials, and communications are properly documented in the repair management system.\n 4. Repair File Profitability & Financial Accountability\n \n \n Maintain accountability for the financial performance of assigned repair orders.\n \n Review estimates, supplements, labor operations, parts costs, sublet expenses, and final invoices to support established gross profit objectives.\n \n Identify missed billing opportunities, estimating inaccuracies, and cost discrepancies that may negatively affect repair file profitability.\n \n Monitor parts and labor margins and coordinate corrective action when necessary.\n \n Review repair file financial performance throughout the repair process rather than exclusively at final billing.\n \n Ensure all legitimate and necessary repair operations are accurately documented and billed in accordance with applicable requirements.\n \n Coordinate with management regarding repair files presenting significant financial exposure, profitability concerns, or unresolved payment issues.\n \n Complete final repair file reviews to verify accurate billing, documentation, and financial reconciliation.\n 5. Production Coordination & Cycle Time Management\n \n \n Collaborate with production managers, blueprint technicians, parts personnel, and repair technicians to support efficient repair progression.\n \n Monitor assigned repair files to identify outstanding approvals, parts delays, supplement issues, or other obstacles affecting cycle time.\n \n Participate in production meetings and provide accurate updates regarding assigned vehicles.\n \n Proactively address estimating-related bottlenecks and communicate potential delays to appropriate team members.\n \n Ensure repair plans and supplement approvals are communicated promptly to production personnel.\n \n Coordinate with production management regarding repair sequencing, scheduling priorities, and anticipated completion dates.\n \n Maintain accurate repair status information and ensure timely escalation of issues that may affect delivery commitments.\n 6. Customer Communication & Service\n \n \n Provide clear, accurate, and professional communication to customers regarding repair scope, insurance approvals, financial responsibilities, and anticipated timelines.\n \n Coordinate with CSRs to ensure customers receive timely and consistent repair status updates.\n \n Explain repair requirements and insurance-related matters in a manner customers can understand.\n \n Address customer concerns related to estimating, repair costs, insurance approvals, and repair progress.\n \n Escalate complex customer disputes or matters requiring management authorization.\n \n Maintain professionalism, transparency, and a customer-focused approach throughout the repair process.\n \n Support customer satisfaction and service standards established by Eli's Auto Center.\n 7. File Management, Documentation & Systems Compliance\n \n \n Maintain complete, accurate, and organized repair files within CCC ONE and other designated company systems.\n \n Ensure estimates, supplements, repair authorizations, OEM procedures, invoices, photographs, communications, and supporting documentation are properly recorded.\n \n Document insurance approvals, denials, supplement negotiations, customer communications, and repair-related decisions.\n \n Monitor outstanding administrative requirements and ensure timely resolution.\n \n Conduct regular reviews of assigned repair files to identify missing documentation, billing discrepancies, and unresolved issues.\n \n Ensure repair files meet company standards for accuracy, completeness, profitability, and operational compliance.\n \n Maintain accurate documentation necessary for final billing, collections, and repair file closure.\n \n Protect confidential customer, vehicle, insurance, and company information.\n 8. CSR Coordination & Administrative Support\n \n \n Coordinate with designated Customer Service Representatives to support administrative activities associated with assigned repair files.\n \n Delegate appropriate administrative tasks when additional support is necessary due to workload or operational demands.\n \n Provide clear task instructions, priorities, and completion expectations for delegated work.\n \n Monitor completion of assigned administrative activities and follow up on outstanding items.\n \n Collaborate with the CSR Supervisor and management regarding workload allocation, administrative support needs, and workflow concerns.\n \n Maintain responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of assigned repair files regardless of administrative task delegation.\n \n Promote effective teamwork and professional communication between estimating, customer service, and production departments.\n \n Provide task-specific guidance and technical assistance to support efficient file processing.\n \n This position may provide functional direction to CSR personnel but does not independently exercise authority over employee hiring, discipline, performance evaluations, or termination.9. Parts & Cost Coordination\n \n \n Collaborate with parts personnel to ensure required parts are accurately identified and aligned with OEM repair procedures.\n \n Review parts selections, pricing, availability, and related estimating documentation for assigned repair files.\n \n Identify parts-related discrepancies, pricing issues, and potential impacts on repair profitability.\n \n Coordinate with parts personnel and production management to address delays or changes affecting repair plans.\n \n Verify that applicable parts costs, credits, returns, and adjustments are accurately reflected in repair files.\n \n Support cost-control initiatives without compromising OEM compliance, repair quality, or vehicle safety.\n 10. Continuous Improvement & Team Collaboration\n \n \n Identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy, supplement processing, repair file documentation, and operational efficiency.\n \n Participate in training and professional development related to OEM repair procedures, estimating practices, and industry technology.\n \n Share technical knowledge and best practices with colleagues when appropriate.\n \n Support company policies, standard operating procedures, and quality standards.\n \n Demonstrate Eli's Auto Center's core values of Teamwork, Integrity, Quality, Dependability, and Knowledge.\n \n Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the position's responsibilities.\n \n Required Qualifications\n Professional Experience\n \n \n Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in automotive collision repair estimating, repair planning, or file management.\n \n Minimum of two (2) years of experience independently managing collision repair files, including estimates, supplements, insurance negotiations, and final billing.\n \n Demonstrated experience preparing and negotiating insurance supplements supported by documented repair requirements and OEM procedures.\n \n Strong working knowledge of collision repair processes, including structural repair, refinishing, mechanical operations, parts procurement, and repair sequencing.\n \n Experience managing multiple active repair files while maintaining accuracy, organization, and timely follow-through.\n \n Demonstrated understanding of repair order profitability, labor operations, parts margins, and cost management.\n \n Experience coordinating with production, blueprinting, parts, and customer service personnel.\n \n Technical Knowledge & Skills\n \n \n Advanced proficiency in CCC ONE estimating software.\n \n Strong knowledge of OEM repair procedures, manufacturer specifications, and repair documentation requirements.\n \n Ability to research, interpret, and apply manufacturer-specific repair information.\n \n Understanding of ADAS calibration requirements, diagnostic scanning, structural repair considerations, and vehicle safety systems.\n \n Ability to identify missed repair operations, estimating discrepancies, and incomplete repair documentation.\n \n Knowledge of insurance supplement procedures, claims documentation, and repair approval processes.\n \n Ability to review and reconcile estimates, supplements, parts invoices, sublet charges, and final repair orders.\n \n Proficiency with computers, digital documentation systems, email, and Microsoft Office applications.\n \n Professional Competencies\n \n \n Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.\n \n Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.\n \n Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.\n \n Ability to independently prioritize responsibilities and manage competing deadlines.\n \n Sound judgment and the ability to escalate issues appropriately.\n \n Ability to coordinate cross-functional activities and delegate administrative tasks effectively.\n \n Strong customer service and conflict-resolution skills.\n \n Commitment to ethical estimating practices, accurate billing, and safe vehicle repairs.\n \n Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven collision repair environment.\n Preferred Qualifications\n \n \n