Trailer Shop Manager – Rockford, IL

Transport Refrigeration, Inc. | New Rockford Location
Full-Time | Monday - Friday | 1st Shift

Trailer Repair, Estimating & Business Development

Estimate. Build Relationships. Grow the Business.

Transport Refrigeration, Inc. is opening a new location in Rockford, IL, and we're looking for a motivated, personable, and customer-focused Trailer Shop Manager to help grow our trailer service and parts business.

This is a customer-facing business development and estimating role for someone who understands trailer repair and enjoys building relationships. You'll work directly with customers to understand their needs, estimate trailer repairs, sell trailer parts and services, develop new business, and help grow the Rockford location.

The ideal candidate has experience with refrigerated semi-trailer wreck repair and knows how to identify the scope of a repair, develop an accurate estimate, and communicate the recommended repairs to customers.

If you enjoy being out in the field, meeting customers, developing new business, and putting your trailer repair knowledge to work, we'd like to hear from you.

Why Join Transport Refrigeration?

Join a new Rockford location with an opportunity to help build the business
Stable and growing company
Customer-facing role with variety from day to day
Excellent Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (Multiple plan options)
- Employer HSA Contributions
- Employer-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match after 1 year
- PTO Accrual Starting Day One
- 7 Paid Holidays
Opportunity to develop new and existing customer relationships
Work with an experienced Service, Parts, and Sales team
Hands-on industry with opportunities for growth
Team-oriented work environment

What You'll Do

Trailer Repair Estimating

Estimate semi-trailer repairs, from minor repairs to major wreck damage
Evaluate damaged refrigerated and dry trailers to determine repair needs
Develop accurate and profitable repair estimates
Explain repair recommendations, costs, and scope of work to customers
Monitor estimate accuracy and compare estimated work to completed repairs
Identify additional repair and service opportunities

Customer Relationships & Business Development

Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective customers
Visit customers to understand their needs and promote trailer repair and service
Market trailer repair, maintenance, and parts to new and existing customers
Develop new customer relationships and identify opportunities to grow the trailer business
Sell trailer parts and outside parts sales
Follow up with customers and maintain consistent communication
Represent Transport Refrigeration professionally in the marketplace

Service & Parts Coordination

Work closely with Service, Parts, and Sales to coordinate repairs, parts, and customer projects
Communicate customer requirements and repair expectations to the appropriate departments
Help coordinate trailer repair projects from initial estimate through completion
Support overall customer satisfaction and a positive customer experience

Business Growth

Help establish and grow the Trailer Shop at our new Rockford location
Identify opportunities to increase trailer repair, service, and parts sales
Participate in customer and sales calls when beneficial to developing business
Build relationships that result in repeat and long-term customers

What We're Looking For

Required:

Previous experience estimating wreck repairs for refrigerated and dry semi-trailers
Strong knowledge of semi-trailer repair and damage assessment
Strong customer service and relationship-building skills
Excellent verbal communication skills, both in person and by phone
Ability to explain repair needs and estimates clearly to customers
Strong sales and business-development mindset
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
Strong sense of urgency and follow-through
Professional appearance and demeanor
Valid, unrestricted driver's license
Comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred:

Background in Service Management, Operations Management, General Management, or a related field
Experience with refrigerated trailers and transport refrigeration equipment
Experience with trailer parts sales or outside sales
Experience developing new customers or growing an existing customer base
Experience working in a heavy truck, trailer, equipment, or commercial vehicle dealership
Knowledge of DOT trailer requirements and regulations

A Great Opportunity to Build Something New

Our Rockford location is new, which means this role provides an opportunity to have a direct impact on building the Trailer Shop's customer base and growing the business.

We're looking for someone who is comfortable getting out from behind the desk—meeting customers, making sales calls, evaluating trailers, preparing estimates, and finding opportunities to earn their business.

If you're personable, knowledgeable about trailer repair, and motivated by building relationships and growing sales, this could be a great fit.

Physical & Work Requirements

This position works in both office and shop environments and requires the ability to:

Lift up to 75 lbs. occasionally
Sit, stand, bend, squat, walk, and climb in and around trailers
Move throughout customer and service facilities
Visit customer locations and inspect trailers
Drive company vehicles and travel to customer locations
Work comfortably around an active trailer repair environment

About Transport Refrigeration, Inc.

Transport Refrigeration, Inc. is a growing Thermo King dealership and commercial vehicle service company providing transport refrigeration, trailer service, parts, and related equipment solutions.

Our teams support customers across multiple industries and focus on providing responsive, dependable service when their equipment needs attention.

We value being responsive, dedicated, empathetic, creative, and ethical in everything we do. Our goal is to build lasting customer relationships by being a trusted partner—not simply a service provider.

Apply Today

If you have refrigerated and dry trailer wreck repair estimating experience, enjoy working directly with customers, and are motivated to build relationships and grow a business, we'd like to hear from you.

Transport Refrigeration, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Direct applicants only – no recruiting agencies.

Transport Refrigeration, Inc.

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