Senior Vehicle Damage Assessor

ACTIVATE GROUP LIMITED; Hampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading vehicle repair company in Hampton is looking for a Senior Vehicle Damage Assessor to manage a team and provide estimates for vehicle repairs. The role involves leading visual inspections, estimating repair costs, and maintaining excellent customer service. Benefits include competitive pay, a quarterly bonus scheme, and a supportive working environment, along with career progression opportunities. The ideal candidate will be ATA qualified and possess strong communication and people management skills.

Benefits

33 days holiday (including bank holidays)

Quarterly bonus scheme

Health Shield cash health plan

Annual pay review

Enhanced parental leave pay

Life assurance: three times basic salary

Free breakfast cereals and milk daily

Free fruit every Monday

Free breakfasts on Wednesdays

Qualifications

• Experienced as a Vehicle Damage Assessor in a fast-paced body shop.
• Skilled in estimating repair costs and managing repairs efficiently.
• Strong negotiation skills with third parties and customers.

Responsibilities

• Manage site VDAs and customer care team members.
• Estimate repair costs while considering economical repair methods.
• Lead visual inspections and assist in bodywork warranty claims.
• Maintain communication with customers regarding vehicle issues.

Skills

ATA qualified (or equivalent)

Relevant experience as an estimator

Ability to qualify and quantify repairs required

Ability to negotiate effectively with third parties

Great customer service skills

Great verbal and written communication skills

Collaborative team member

Ability to create estimates via company systems

Up to date technical knowledge and skills

People management experience

Job description

Job title

Senior Vehicle Damage Assessor

Overview

We’re looking for a Senior Vehicle Damage Assessor to join the friendly, fast‑paced team at our state‑of‑the‑art Hampton body shop. Help deliver outstanding service and high‑quality repairs for our customers, and in return you’ll receive competitive pay, bonus opportunities, progression and great benefits.

Role overview

To manage and provide technical expertise to the site VDAs and customer care team, whilst working as a VDA delivering estimates for the cost of repair for damaged vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site VDAs and customer care team members, including technical guidance.
• Carry out visual inspections to identify any accidental damage caused to avoid uninsured loss damage costs.
• Estimate repair costs by considering the most economical repair method.
• Provide explanations of the repair procedure and process to team members and customers.
• Value vehicles at market value to determine the repairable economics.
• Review all open job cards daily and report any ongoing and recurrent work‑in‑progress problems, ensuring all information on job cards is recorded accurately for invoicing.
• Assist in the correct evaluation and justification of bodywork warranty claims and provide comprehensive explanations thereof.
• Estimate repairs required together with the time to be allowed, materials and parts required and explain work required to customers and to insurance and other assessors in an efficient, pleasant, courteous and professional manner.
• Make efficient use of all modern estimating methods and work in line with approved times.
• Bring to customers’ attention any problems, faults and other issues that might impact on the performance and safety of their vehicles.
• Maintain awareness of incoming vehicles and flag any issues to the Workshop / Bodyshop Manager.
• Awareness of and compliance with Health & Safety requirements.

Skills & Experience

• ATA qualified (or equivalent).
• Relevant experience as an estimator.
• Ability to qualify and quantify repairs required.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with third parties.
• Great customer service skills.
• Great verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative team member, with strong relationship building skills.
• Ability to create an estimate both manually and via company systems.
• Up to date technical knowledge and skills including SMART repairs.
• People management experience.

Benefits

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays).
• Quarterly bonus scheme.
• Health Shield cash health plan for all.
• Annual pay review.
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / shared parental / adoption pay.
• Life assurance: three times basic salary.
• Free breakfast cereals and milk daily.
• Free fruit – every Monday.
• Free breakfasts sent to site every Wednesday.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (DOE).
• Quarterly bonus scheme (up to £700 per quarter).
• Supportive and professional working environment.
• Opportunity to grow with a dynamic and ambitious company.
• Career development and progression opportunities.