Estimator - AUTOMOTIVE BODYSHOP

Job Description: Automotive Bodyshop Estimator (with Driving License)

Position Overview

The Automotive Bodyshop Estimator is responsible for inspecting damaged vehicles, diagnosing necessary structural, body, and refinishing repairs, and creating accurate, competitive cost estimates. This role acts as a vital bridge between the customer, corporate fleet operators, insurance companies, and the workshop floor. The ideal candidate ensures all assessments prioritize absolute integrity, safety, and operational excellence while maximizing workshop efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A valid United Arab Emirates (UAE) driving license is mandatory for this position to facilitate on-site fleet evaluations and vehicle mobility.

Key Responsibilities

• Damage Assessment & Estimation:
• Conduct thorough physical inspections of vehicles experiencing collision, structural, or cosmetic damage.
• Accurately diagnose required repairs, including cabin repairs, structural alignments, mechanical overlaps, and body panel replacements.
• Utilize industry-standard estimation software (e.g., Audatex, CCC ONE, Mitchell) to compile comprehensive itemized quotes for parts, labor, and paint materials.
• Mobile Estimations & Fleet Logistics (Driving License Required):
• Travel directly to corporate client premises, car rental depots, or accident sites across the emirates to perform on-site damage assessments.
• Test-drive vehicles when safe and necessary to accurately diagnose mechanical, structural, or alignment irregularities before and after repairs.
• Coordinate and assist with the logistics of moving vehicles between customer locations, storage yards, and the central workshop premises.
• Insurance & Client Relations:
• Liaise directly with insurance surveyors and adjusters to negotiate approval on repair scopes, supplemental damage, and labor rates.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with corporate clients, car rental operators, and fleet managers.
• Explain repair processes, timelines, and costs transparently and clearly to non-technical customers.
• Procurement & Sourcing:
• Identify parts required for repairs and collaborate with procurement teams to source original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or approved aftermarket parts.
• Recognize specialty repairs that fall outside on-site capabilities, source competitive external vendor quotes, and manage the approval process for out-of-scope work.
• Production Handover & Quality Assurance:
• Formulate clear, detailed job cards for bodyshop managers, technicians, and painters to ensure the repair team understands the approved scope of work.
• Monitor vehicles throughout the repair lifecycle to document any hidden, supplemental damage requiring additional authorization.
• Verify that completed vehicles match the approved estimate and meet rigid quality and safety standards prior to final delivery.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• License Requirement: Must possess a valid, clean UAE Driving License (Manual/Automatic).
• Experience: Minimum of 2–5 years of experience as an estimator, surveyor, or advisor within a professional automotive bodyshop or collision repair center.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of automotive construction, body-on-frame and unibody structures, welding techniques, paint refinishing processes, and vehicle mechanics.
• Communication & Negotiation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to negotiate firmly yet professionally with insurance companies and corporate vendors.
• Detail-Oriented: Exceptional analytical skills with a commitment to mathematical accuracy in calculating labor times, material allowances, and financial margins.

Core Competencies

• Radical Operational Integrity: Committed to absolute honesty and transparency in every quote, supplemental request, and client update.
• Problem Solving under Pressure: Ability to navigate