Job Summary
Kolstad is seeking a customer-focused, organized, and technically minded Service Writer / Estimator to join our team in Blaine, MN. This role serves as the critical bridge between our fleet customers, insurance adjusters, and our shop floor production team. You will be responsible for greeted customers, accurately diagnosing service needs, translating those needs into highly accurate labor and parts estimates, and managing the workflow to ensure timely, high-quality specialized truck and trailer repairs.
Detailed Responsibilities
Customer Service & Service Writing
- Act as the primary point of contact for incoming service customers, providing a professional and welcoming experience.
- Interview customers to clearly document their repair requests, vehicle symptoms, or modifications required.
- Maintain proactive communication with customers regarding repair status, changes to estimates, and expected completion times.
Estimating & Repair Planning
- Conduct thorough physical inspections of specialized trucks, bodies, and trailers to assess damage or mechanical/structural wear.
- Develop comprehensive, detailed repair estimates using standard repair times (SRTs) and shop operational guidelines.
- Collaborate with the Parts Department to source necessary specialized components, ensuring accurate pricing and lead times.
- Prepare and submit formal estimates to fleet managers and commercial insurance adjusters; negotiate approvals efficiently to minimize downtime.
Production Coordination & Compliance
- Translate approved estimates into clear, actionable Work Orders for the shop floor technicians.
- Monitor daily shop capacity and collaborate with the Service Manager to schedule and prioritize repair jobs.
- Ensure all documentation, customer authorizations, and supplemental billing comply with internal policies, state labor laws, and DOT requirements.
- Review completed work orders for accuracy before final invoicing, ensuring all parts and labor hours are accounted for.
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience: minimum 2 years of experience as a Service Writer, Estimator, or Service Advisor in the medium/heavy-duty truck, trailer, or automotive collision repair industry.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong foundational understanding of truck body construction, structural repair, heavy-duty trailer mechanics, and hydraulic or electrical systems.
- Software Skills: Proficiency with commercial shop management software, estimating platforms, and standard office suites (MS Office/Google Workspace).
- Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to confidently negotiate with fleet clients and insurance adjusters.
- Organization: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple moving estimates and repair orders simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Licensing: Valid Driver’s License required.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Comfortable splitting time between a professional front-office environment and an active industrial shop floor.
- Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs and ability to bend, stoop, or climb to inspect heavy-duty vehicles and trailers safely.
- Adherence to all company safety standards, including wearing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when in production zones.
This position is eligible for a $500 signing bonus. Apply today!
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
