Description

Provides technical support and advice to customers regarding refinish products and their related application. Provides support and instruction to service and sales employees. Keeps current with new products, trains existing products, and uses an assortment of reference materials to ensure customer needs are met.

 

Personal Characteristics and Skills

Requires good reading, math, science, and computer skills. Must enjoy working with people, working with technical details, and solving problems. Must have good sales, communication, and presentation skills.

 

Job Outlook

With more vehicles and more miles driven every year, collision losses are inevitable and their repair requires specialized equipment, tools, and materials. With a large variety of current materials and continual development of new materials, training and troubleshooting are critical to customer satisfaction and continued sales. This will continue to be a high-demand occupation.

 

Pre-Employment Education and Experience

A high school education and at least 4-5 years of related technical experience are required. Understanding of refinish products and related application techniques, equipment, and processes. Proven desire to learn. Strong customer service skills are essential.

 

Earnings

This is a higher level technical position, requiring extensive experience and knowledge, and starting salaries from $35,000 to $45,000 are common. Increased earnings follow increased abilities.

 

Career Path

This position usually follows from repair shop painter experience and subsequent paint material sales or service positions. There can be opportunities for advancement to management positions. This experience could also lead toward ownership of a distributorship, positions with vehicle manufacturers, or educational institutions.

 

Continuing Education

Internal company and manufacturer education programs for advancement or to meet state and local licensing requirements. Continuing technical education is available through outside organizations, including I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair). Certifications are available through ASE.

 

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