BODY SHOP MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

A body shop is only as profitable as its estimating accuracy and its ability to move vehicles through repair on schedule. When neither is managed well, insurance supplements pile up, cycle times slip, and customer retention suffers measurably. The Body Shop Manager owns the operational and financial performance of the repair department, overseeing everything from work order authorization and parts procurement to technician scheduling and Direct Repair Program compliance. Few roles in the collision repair industry carry this breadth of accountability across production, people, and customer outcomes.

As the Body Shop Manager, you direct the daily operations of a collision repair department, maintaining estimating accuracy, technician productivity, and insurance company relationships that determine the shop's revenue and reputation. You lead a team of technicians, estimators, and front-of-house staff, with your scope spanning production scheduling, quality control, and financial performance reporting.

Career Impact: Managing a collision repair operation to CSI benchmarks and Direct Repair Program standards is one of the most credentialing paths available to an automotive professional outside of a general manager track.

Business Impact: The shop's ability to close repair cycles on time, retain insurance partnerships, and convert first-time customers into repeat business depends directly on how this role is executed day to day.

Growth Opportunity: The operational, financial, and people management experience built here translates directly into multi-site or regional bodyshop leadership roles, where compensation and scope both expand substantially.

• Oversee daily body shop operations, including technician dispatching, workflow scheduling, and production meeting facilitation to meet cycle time targets.
• Estimate repair costs and negotiate supplements with insurance adjusters, ensuring all work authorizations and pre-inspection documentation are completed before repairs begin.
• Review and approve all completed work orders and billing documentation, including final invoices and sublet vendor charges, prior to vehicle delivery.
• Manage parts procurement and inventory levels to support uninterrupted production across active repair orders.
• Monitor sublet vendor performance on quality, pricing, and delivery timelines to protect shop margins and repair standards.
• Lead, train, and evaluate department personnel, conducting periodic performance reviews and arranging ongoing skills development.
• Enforce shop safety standards, housekeeping requirements, and regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local body shop operating rules.
• Maintain the customer follow-up system, handle complaints promptly, and track CSI scores to support retention and referral business.

• High school diploma or equivalent, or demonstrated equivalent work experience in collision repair operations.
• 3 or more years of body shop management or senior collision repair experience, with direct responsibility for production and staff.
• Working knowledge of auto body repair methods, paint processes, and insurance claim procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to write repair estimates and negotiate supplements with insurance companies.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple open repair orders simultaneously.
• Proficiency in reading and applying federal, state, and local regulations governing body shop operations, including hazardous waste and environmental requirements.

• State-issued appraiser's license or equivalent certification, such as a PA Appraiser's License or Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser License.
• I-CAR certification or completion of manufacturer-approved training programs relevant to current repair technologies.
• Experience managing a Direct Repair Program relationship with one or more insurance carriers.
• Familiarity with dealership management system software used in estimating, scheduling, and reporting workflows.

• Cycle time per repair order, reflecting the shop's ability to move vehicles through production on schedule.
• Supplement approval rate, measuring estimating accuracy against final insurer-agreed repair scope.
• CSI score, tracking customer satisfaction outcomes across the repair and delivery experience.
• Technician productivity percentage, comparing billed hours to available hours across the department.
• Sublet cost variance, measuring how closely vendor charges align with estimated sublet budgets.
• Parts fill rate, reflecting whether procurement processes support uninterrupted repair production.

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $95,000 per year depending on shop volume and market
• Bonus: Performance bonus tied to CSI scores, cycle time, and shop profitability
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level in collision repair operations
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard for full-time roles
• PTO: 10 to 15 days per year, plus standard holidays
• Common Perks: Uniforms or tool allowances, manufacturer training sponsorship, employee vehicle discounts

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role, given the responsibility for financial transactions, vehicle handling, and regulated waste management. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Body Shop Manager leads a cross-functional team designing body repair methods, technical bulletins, and tooling specifications to support Rivian's global vehicle launch operations. Reporting to plant operations and manufacturing leadership, this role drives continuous process improvement through Lean Six Sigma methodology, directly enabling quality production targets and KPI performance across the body shop.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team that designs industry-leading body repair methods, technical bulletins, and tooling specifications.
• Assess vehicle crash tests for the design of economical repair methods and service parts.
• Partner across Service and Engineering teams to ensure smooth implementation of repair information for global markets.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously to support successful vehicle launches, including plan, tasks, risks, and communications.
• Coordinate resources, provide clear direction and timelines for deliverables, and delegate tasks across the team.
• Develop departmental plans and priorities aligned with plant operations and manufacturing goals.
• Leverage Lean Six Sigma and analytical skills to identify gaps and implement process improvements.
• Manage human and material resources to meet production targets and KPIs.
• Proactively develop and manage team member performance and capabilities based on company KPIs.
• Provide leadership and training to accomplish plant and company goals and objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Body Shop operation, repair, and body service part design.
• 7+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• 3-5+ years of manufacturing supervisory experience, preferably in automotive.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing procedures, lean manufacturing, and labor budgets.
• Proficiency in KPI tracking, efficiency reporting, and engineering analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a high degree of professionalism.
• Proven ability to work independently, managing large and complex projects across a distributed organization.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills and acute attention to detail.

Embedded within a customer-centered dealership culture, the Body Shop Manager ensures work is performed efficiently and accurately while mentoring body shop employees and upholding safety standards. Working closely with department personnel and training programs, this role sustains a high-quality service environment that directly supports customer satisfaction and employee engagement.

Core Functions

• Manage customer expectations and ensure work is performed efficiently and accurately.
• Perform as a mentor to body shop employees and lead by example.
• Participate in all required training programs, certifications, school courses, and events.
• Ensure all tools and equipment are used safely and accurately.
• Respond to safety concerns immediately.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of experience in the automotive industry, specifically in service and repairs.
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Ability to manage others with a clean driving record and valid driver's license.
• Experience in body repair and paint with prior management experience.

Reporting to shop leadership, the Body Shop Manager handles all operations of a busy commercial body shop, overseeing workflow, technician management, and work order approval to maintain quality and safety standards. Partnering with direct reports and supply vendors, this role drives staff development and financial performance to meet customer satisfaction goals.

Primary Duties

• Handle all operations of a busy commercial body shop and manage shop workflow and technicians.
• Ensure proper parts and supplies are in stock at all times.
• Plan daily and weekly work schedules for direct reports.
• Review and sign off on all completed work orders.
• Manage staff development, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Promote safety standards and expectations throughout the shop.

Skills and Qualifications

• 3 years of auto body management experience.
• Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser License and valid driver's license.
• Experience in auto body estimating.
• Ability to negotiate repair estimates and supplements with insurance companies.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Sitting at the intersection of customer relations and body repair operations, the Body Shop Manager handles inquiries, troubleshoots product concerns, and maintains accurate customer records to support service quality. Operating across department functions, this role also oversees the body repair department and recruits qualified staff to sustain operational capacity.

Duties

• Handle customer inquiries and complaints and provide information about products and services.
• Troubleshoot and resolve product issues and concerns.
• Document and update customer records based on interactions.
• Develop and maintain a knowledge base of evolving products and services.
• Oversee the body repair department and recruit qualified support staff.

Experience and Qualifications

• Previous experience in body repair, paint, and insurance claims.
• Prior management experience with the ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Ability to build rapport with clients.
• Positive and professional demeanor.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

A key member of the workshop operations team, the Body Shop Manager ensures productivity targets are met while maintaining the highest standards of vehicle repair quality, documentation, and housekeeping across the site. Collaborating across teams and reporting to the Production Director on productivity constraints, this role enables consistent compliance with insurance company requirements and internal quality benchmarks.

Functions

• Ensure productivity of the workshop and that the site completes the required units.
• Maintain the highest standard of quality repair for all vehicles, including quality control and documentation.
• Deal with any complaints efficiently and ensure they are contained internally.
• Ensure culture and ethos are consistently adhered to and understood across the team.
• Maintain high levels of housekeeping and ensure statutory requirements are fulfilled.
• Communicate with the Production Director on constraints to productivity and maintenance.

Position Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in body repair of motor vehicles.
• Motor manufacturer qualifications and experience.
• Strong quality standards with minimal rework and accurate workshop documentation.
• Positive assessment record from insurance company engineers.
• Ability to deliver results through influence without authority in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment.

Sustaining group-wide bodyshop performance across five centers depends on the Body Shop Manager, who plans and implements bodyshop strategy while managing KPI comparisons, procurement, and manufacturer compliance. Based within a regional automotive group and working closely with Bodyshop Managers, Heads of Business, and the Aftersales Marketing Manager, this role directly enables profitable growth and best-practice consistency across all sites.

Accountabilities

• Plan and implement a Bodyshop strategy across multiple sites.
• Work closely with Bodyshop Managers and Heads of Business to ensure group synergy and best practice sharing.
• Foster strong relationships with manufacturer partners and work providers to agree on best terms.
• Measure performance of each site on a daily and weekly basis and conduct in-depth KPI comparisons.
• Review accounts and expenses monthly and monitor outstanding WIP.
• Manage procurement of paint, materials, and parts.
• Work closely with the Aftersales Marketing Manager to optimize group marketing campaigns.
• Comply with manufacturer standards and audit requirements and review accident management programs.

Background and Experience

• Experience working as a Bodyshop Manager or in a group bodyshop role.
• Experience working within a high-performing team in a busy and fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in DMS and other bodyshop-related IT software.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Full UK driving license required as travel will be necessary.

As the Body Shop Manager, this role examines damaged vehicles, prepares insurance cost estimates, and oversees the full repair workflow from work authorization through final billing review and vehicle delivery. The body shop team relies on this work to maintain sublet vendor accountability, dispatch accuracy, and compliance with insurance documentation standards across all production operations.

Operational Focus

• Examine damaged vehicles to determine the extent of structural, body, mechanical, or interior damage.
• Estimate cost of labor and parts to repair or replace each damaged item.
• Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
• Verify that all signatures, work authorizations, and pre-inspection checklists are obtained prior to initiating repairs.
• Dispatch work assignments to production employees based on technician level and ability.
• Inspect work in progress to identify additional repairs missed on the original estimate.
• Maintain close supervision of sublet vendors' quality, pricing, and delivery times.
• Supervise estimators, office staff, and maintenance of all production work areas and equipment.
• Review all billing documentation prior to vehicle delivery, including the final bill, supplements, and invoices.

Technical Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• PA Appraiser's License required.
• Previous collision center or insurance experience required.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Strong math, reading, and software skills with the ability to learn new technology and repair procedures.
• Excellent customer service skills with a positive, friendly attitude and strong oral and written communication skills.

Body Shop Manager oversees front-of-house and workshop staff, manages daily and monthly reporting, and ensures all bodyshop administration and upselling processes are completed accurately and on time. Success in the position means customers receive consistent vehicle progress updates, staff training assessments are current, and the manufacturer and warranty department relationships are actively maintained.

Key Deliverables

• Deal effectively with customers and keep them updated on vehicle progress in person and over the phone.
• Ensure all bodyshop staff training assessments are completed in a timely manner.
• Assist the bodyshop manager with health and safety requirements.
• Manage front-of-house and workshop staff to ensure communication and cooperation.
• Ensure all bodyshop department administration processes are adhered to.
• Liaise with the manufacturer and warranty department.
• Run daily, weekly, and monthly reports and ensure upselling is accurately processed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a managerial role or bodyshop environment.
• Bodyshop background with knowledge of manufacturer processes and training qualifications preferred.
• Strong computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Fantastic communication and influencing skills with a motivated and positive approach.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

The Body Shop Manager produces a structured framework for regulatory compliance, staff performance, and interdepartmental communication across body shop operations, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local requirements. Reporting to plant leadership and collaborating with managers across departments, this role advances team capability and operational consistency through periodic reviews and department-wide meetings.

Role Responsibilities

• Understand, keep abreast of, and comply with federal, state, and local regulations affecting body shop operations.
• Attend managers' meetings and strive for teamwork with other departments.
• Hold departmental meetings periodically to discuss problem areas.
• Perform periodic reviews of employee performance.
• Manage flexitime rotas and keep staff informed and up to date.

Education and Experience

• Five years of experience in an auto body repair facility.
• One year of supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge of body repair methods.
• Reynolds and Reynolds experience is a plus.
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Excellent communication and managerial skills with the ability to read and comprehend instructions and information.

Consistent shop performance and profitable growth depend on the Body Shop Manager, who oversees daily operations, writes repair estimates, manages the Direct Repair Program, and coordinates staff scheduling to ensure repairs are completed efficiently. Based within a collision repair facility and working closely with customers, insurance companies, and estimators, this role develops technician capability and parts procurement processes that sustain high-quality outcomes.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Oversee employees, repairs, and daily body shop operations.
• Hire, train, and manage body shop employees and arrange ongoing training to keep skills current.
• Prepare work schedules and plan rotations to ensure repairs are completed quickly and efficiently.
• Write body shop repair estimates and manage the Direct Repair Program.
• Purchase parts and other supplies needed for repairs.
• Professionally interact with customers, insurance companies, and estimators.

Professional Experience

• Body shop manager experience preferred.
• Appraisal license preferred with insurance company relationships considered helpful.
• I-CAR certification preferred.
• Knowledge of new vehicle repair technologies with a solid understanding of the estimating process and system.
• Proficient computer skills with a professional appearance and work ethic.
• Excellent management, customer service, and communication skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship and pass pre-employment background checks, MVR, and drug screen.

As the Body Shop Manager, this role oversees site-level financial performance, leads the daily management of estimating, customer service, and parts departments, and drives profitable growth by promoting company culture across all operations. The site team relies on this work to achieve strong customer care objectives, maintain workshop efficiency, and sustain the business outcomes that support long-term organizational growth.

Job Functions

• Deliver site performance and profitable growth, contributing to overall business growth.
• Provide leadership, direction, and management of the site team.
• Manage the workshop's daily tasks, including invoice submission and unsent account management.
• Oversee the estimating, customer service, and parts departments as part of the workshop.
• Achieve strong financial performance, high-quality service, and customer care objectives.
• Promote company culture and values in all aspects of work.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Extensive experience and all-around competence in running a bodyshop.
• Strong customer service and leadership skills with technical expertise.
• Good knowledge of the accident repair industry.
• Confident ability to manage resources to optimize profitability and customer service.
• Able to be a real team player with positive vibes.

Body Shop Manager refines daily production operations by leading a technical team, holding daily production meetings, and monitoring sublets and scheduling against regional benchmarks to sustain high workmanship standards. The work directly supports consistent customer service delivery and collision repair quality across all shop activities.

Areas of Ownership

• Lead a strong technical team to operate effectively while maintaining high standards of quality and workmanship.
• Ensure every employee is focused on providing exceptional customer service.
• Hold daily production meetings with all members of the technical team.
• Supervise parts procurement and supplement process.
• Monitor sublets, production scheduling, and daily production statistics against regional benchmarks.

Experience and Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in body shop management or senior industry experience.
• Complete understanding of the collision repair process.
• Familiarity with insurance repair procedures.
• Valid driver's license.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with attention to detail and ability to multitask.

The Body Shop Manager leads department personnel, crafts annual operating budgets and marketing plans, and maintains a customer follow-up system to support repeat and referral business across all repair services. Reporting to dealership leadership and collaborating with all department staff, this role shapes customer satisfaction outcomes and drives CSI performance through proactive complaint resolution and ongoing product training.

Scope of Work

• Assist customers in servicing, repairing, and explaining each service needed.
• Understand customer requirements and match them to various repair options.
• Explain repairs being performed and keep customers informed throughout the repair process.
• Stay up to date on new products, features, accessories, and product training.
• Maintain a customer follow-up system that supports repeat and referral business.
• Hire, supervise, and monitor all department personnel in servicing customers.
• Craft departmental goals and objectives, including an annual operating budget and marketing plan.
• Maintain a high Customer Service Index rating by handling complaints immediately and appropriately.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a body shop manager or assistant manager.
• High school diploma or higher education.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Strong focus on providing excellent customer service with a driven personality.
• Ability to work within and support internal teams.