Estimation Process Lead

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125+ years of success—success that is powered by our people. At GATX, we hire the best and offer our employees a dynamic, energetic, collaborative environment to enable them to make an impact from day one. Enjoy the perks and benefits of a global company with the close-knit culture and community of a much smaller one. In the same way we strive to empower our customers to propel the world forward, we are dedicated to providing our people with the tools and resources they need to move forward in their careers.

In this role, you will be responsible for interpreting inspection defect reports and developing fleet maintenance and repair estimates on all types of railcars. These estimates must meet all external and internal requirements related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost. This employee is responsible for managing any required revisions to an estimate or work order throughout the production process.

• Develop accurate repair estimates and work orders within Maintenance Management System (MMS) based on completed defect reports (Shop Portal) and assigned programs to ensure an efficient and effective downstream process.
• Maintain high accuracy when assessing and documenting defects to support reliable repair estimates and work instructions, reducing downstream cost and waste. Must understand the underlying process requirements and root causes.
• Respond to inquiries within a high-volume, fast-paced environment, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure railcars are repaired cost effectively and in a timely, high-quality manner.
• Enforce GATX Engineering railcar processing standards through proper maintenance coding and total ownership of estimate and work order.
• Develop work instructions that optimize the flow of the car through the facility to minimize switching and holds
• Develop instructions with key focus on minimizing waste (e.g. add-ons, material blue-tags, rework for incorrect instructions)
• Maintain current knowledge of customer, regulator, and company policies and procedures.
• Complete all required documentation to ensure accurate billing and communication of completed repairs.
• Champion improvement opportunities within department: 
• Participate in department and company meetings;
• Perform ETQ action items and CAPAs;
• Contribute to GATX policy and procedure updates;
• Identify opportunities for enhancements on estimating and material standards, training, and documentation.
• Serve as technical expert to assist facility, Inspection, ASL’s, FMA’s, ME’s, Inspection, and Engineers as needed.
• Serve as a back-up supervisor, including the Inbound Inspection/Estimation Supervisor.
• Serve as back-up to inbound or outbound inspection employees in the event of staffing shortage.

• Coach, mentor and direct the work of pre-work, NDE (where relevant) and other hourly employees.
• Coach, mentor and direct the work of pre-work, NDE (where relevant) and other hourly employees.

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) year railcar experience; Sr. Inspector experience is highly preferred however expertise in other railcar repair functions will be considered
• Certified in NDT Visual Testing, Level II – NDT-VT
• Extensive technical / railcar repair knowledge including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements associated with the FRA and AAR as well as GATX Rail requirements
• Computer and Systems proficiency, including experience with or the ability to learn, Microsoft Office, PowerBI, Maintenance Management System (MMS), Service Event Management (SEM), GATX ShopPortal, Railinc, GATX Tails, and SAP.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quality inspection / production expectations
• Ability to perform cross-functional tasks across multiple departments

Key Competencies:

• Supportive of a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Improvement Order instructions, Fleet Maintenance instructions, work orders, AAR Field Manual and engineering drawings
• Consistently exercise good judgment regarding business issues affecting the GATX fleet and third-party service providers
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability by communicating concerns and improvement suggestions related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong customer resolution skills required to address maintenance questions and resolve estimate issues
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Strong understanding of Root Cause Analysis
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work well with others in a positive manner
• Ability to be flexible and to strive in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to train and mentor others
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement

Other:

• Must be able to stoop for extended periods and routinely move from kneeling to standing positions
• Ability to climb ladders and perform work at elevated heights
• Ability to work in extreme temperature environments
• Ability to physically enter confined space (rail car manways as small as 18” in diameter) and work in enclosed environments
• Must be able to stand/sit/work in front of a computer for extended periods
• Must be able to walk for extended periods of time