The Career:

Are you ready to take on a pivotal leadership role in a company undergoing a transformative ownership change? We’re looking for an Operations Manager to help shape the future of our Mooresville, North Carolina location driving operational success and innovation. As the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing key functions including manufacturing operations, materials handling, materials management, and facility management for a team of about 40 employees. This leadership position is crucial in driving daily operations, maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, and delivering high-quality products to our customers under the Detroit Speed and Engineering brand. You’ll lead the charge on continuous improvement initiatives, working collaboratively across teams to streamline processes, optimize productivity, and meet company goals. If you’re passionate about operational excellence and helping a company thrive during an exciting time of change, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do:

• Oversee all manufacturing operations, including CNC machining, metal fabrication, and assembly, ensuring efficient production and timely delivery.
• Manage the full material flow, from shipping and receiving to warehousing, ensuring production stays on track.
• Handle materials management, from purchasing and planning to inventory control, ensuring parts availability.
• Maintain product quality by ensuring adherence to standards, investigating defects, and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead teams to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) in areas such as on-time shipping, inventory accuracy, product quality, and production efficiency.
• Optimize workflows and monitor capacity to meet production goals and market demand.
• Lead and mentor department leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Drive Lean initiatives and work with the Engineering team on process innovations.
• Promote a safety-first culture, ensuring OSHA compliance and a safe work environment.
• Oversee facility and equipment maintenance, ensuring all assets support smooth production.
• Other duties as beneficial to the success of QA1.

The Critical Skills and Experience You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field, or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years in the manufacturing industry, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role
• Preferred: Experience in a similar role, particularly within a matrix organization or across multiple locations
• Infrequent domestic travel; initial onboarding will take place in Minnesota at QA1’s headquarters
• Strong leadership in planning, directing, and executing operational initiatives
• Hands-on approach with a deep understanding of processes and mechanical aptitude
• Quick problem-solving and solution development
• Experience with ISO standards (e.g., ISO 9001 or TS16949) and maintaining quality management systems
• Proactive, positive attitude, and collaborative approach to challenges
• Passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, listening) and ability to build rapport across teams
• Self-directed with strong execution, prioritization, and attention to detail
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements and proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (Syteline)
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse team and align with QA1’s values

About QA1

QA1 is a privately held leader in performance shocks, steering and suspension systems, composite driveshafts, rod ends and related components for the motorsports and industrial markets. With multiple U.S.-based manufacturing facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we are committed to delivering high-quality products that meet the demanding standards of our customers. Our core values: Create Solutions, Earn It, People Centric, Do the Right Thing - guide everything we do, shaping our products, customer interactions, and internal collaborations. These principles shape a culture that provides premium performance at competitive pricing, while continuously innovating to solve complex challenges. With a focus on long-term relationships, we prioritize customer interests and deliver reliability and credibility. At QA1, our expertise is complemented by a genuine passion for helping our customers succeed with their projects. Our team of over 200 individuals includes passionate racers, automotive enthusiasts, and experts from a variety of industrial fields, fostering a dynamic and collaborative workforce. Our work environment is more than just task-oriented; it is a place where w...e support each other, have fun, and recognize that every contribution is essential to our collective success. We are not just a company; we are a close-knit, high performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and one another.

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