Collision Repair Planner/Estimator

Specialized Auto Craft; Chatham (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Certification opportunities

Competitive pay based on experience

Job summary

Specialized Auto Craft in Chatham, NJ is seeking a Collision Repair Planner/Estimator to develop complete repair plans, manage insurance supplements, and keep repairs moving efficiently. You will collaborate with technicians, estimators, and customers to document procedures and ensure timely production.

The role requires prior collision repair estimating and planning experience, knowledge of OEM procedures, and strong communication and organizational abilities.

Qualifications

• Previous collision repair estimating and/or repair planning experience required.
• Strong understanding of collision repair processes, including body, structural, mechanical, and refinish operations.
• Experience writing estimates and developing detailed repair plans.
• Experience researching and applying OEM repair procedures.
• Familiarity with modern vehicle diagnostics, scanning, ADAS calibrations, and structural measurement.
• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, insurance companies, appraisers, and technicians.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple active repairs and identify issues before they create production delays.
• I-CAR certifications or OEM training preferred, or willingness to obtain.
• Positive attitude with strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform estimating and detailed repair planning to ensure accurate and efficient repairs.
• Work directly with technicians during disassembly to identify additional damage and repair requirements.
• Keep repair plans current as additional damage and required operations are identified.
• Research OEM repair procedures, position statements, and manufacturer requirements.
• Identify required parts, procedures, scans, calibrations, measurements, inspections, and sublet operations.
• Prepare and manage supplements with insurance companies and appraisers.
• Review insurance estimates and supplements for missing or incomplete repair operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation, photographs, repair procedures, and supporting information within the repair file.
• Follow up on outstanding supplements, approvals, parts, and other items that could delay the repair.
• Effectively communicate with customers regarding repair plans, timelines, additional damage, and repair progress.
• Coordinate with body technicians, painters, estimators, parts, and sublet vendors to help maintain efficient production flow.
• Monitor active repairs and communicate potential delays or workflow concerns to the team.
• Assist with daily production coordination and prioritization of repairs.
• Help ensure technicians have the information, documentation, parts, and approvals necessary to continue repairs efficiently.
• Maintain strong communication with the team to help keep production running smoothly.

Skills

Repair planning

Estimating

Communication

Organizational skills

Tools

CCC ONE

Job description

Now Hiring: Collision Repair Planner / Estimator

Company: Specialized Auto Craft
Location: Chatham, NJ 07928

Are you an experienced collision repair professional who thrives on organization, detailed repair planning, communication, and keeping repairs moving efficiently?

Join our team at Specialized Auto Craft, where quality, teamwork, and OEM-standard repairs drive everything we do.

We’re looking for a Collision Repair Planner / Estimator who can work closely with our technicians and estimating team to develop complete repair plans, assist in managing insurance claims, communicate with customers, and help keep vehicles moving efficiently through the repair process.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who understands that modern collision estimating goes beyond writing an initial estimate. Successful repair planning requires thorough disassembly, damage identification, OEM procedure research, documentation, communication, and active management of the repair plan throughout the repair.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform estimating and detailed repair planning to ensure accurate and efficient repairs.


• Work directly with technicians during disassembly to identify additional damage and repair requirements.


• Keep repair plans current as additional damage and required operations are identified.


• Research OEM repair procedures, position statements, and manufacturer requirements.


• Identify required parts, procedures, scans, calibrations, measurements, inspections, and sublet operations.


• Prepare and manage supplements with insurance companies and appraisers.


• Review insurance estimates and supplements for missing or incomplete repair operations.


• Maintain accurate documentation, photographs, repair procedures, and supporting information within the repair file.


• Follow up on outstanding supplements, approvals, parts, and other items that could delay the repair.


• Effectively communicate with customers regarding repair plans, timelines, additional damage, and repair progress.


• Coordinate with body technicians, painters, estimators, parts, and sublet vendors to help maintain efficient production flow.


• Monitor active repairs and communicate potential delays or workflow concerns to the team.


• Assist with daily production coordination and prioritization of repairs.


• Help ensure technicians have the information, documentation, parts, and approvals necessary to continue repairs efficiently.


• Maintain strong communication with the team to help keep production running smoothly.

What We’re Looking For:

• Previous collision repair estimating and/or repair planning experience required.


• Strong understanding of collision repair processes, including body, structural, mechanical, and refinish operations.


• Experience writing estimates and developing detailed repair plans.


• Experience researching and applying OEM repair procedures.


• Familiarity with modern vehicle diagnostics, scanning, ADAS calibrations, and structural measurement.


• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, insurance companies, appraisers, and technicians.


• Excellent organizational, documentation, and follow-up skills.


• Ability to prioritize multiple active repairs and identify issues before they create production delays.


• Prior experience using CCC ONE for collision estimating and repair planning required.


• I-CAR certifications or OEM training preferred, or willingness to obtain.


• Positive attitude with strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Why Join Specialized Auto Craft?

• State-of-the-art facility with OEM-approved tools and equipment.


• Competitive pay based on experience and performance.


• Paid training and certification opportunities.


• Supportive, professional, family-style work environment.


• Opportunity to grow into greater operational and production responsibilities.


• Monday–Friday schedule — enjoy your weekends off!

Join a shop that values doing repairs the right way — not cutting corners.

Shop Hours

Monday–Friday: 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
WEEKENDS CLOSED — because LIFE isn’t always about work.