Job Description

Quality Manager

Department:

Manufacturing / Quality

FLSA Classification:

Exempt

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Work Location:

Cantonment / Pensacola, FL; Onsite

Travel Required:

None

About Us

Velocity transforms authentic American classic vehicles from the ground up for modern driving. Our Re-Engineered Classics™ combine proven engineering, meticulous craftsmanship, and personalized design to preserve the original character while delivering modern performance, comfort, and reliability.

Creating a Velocity vehicle requires precision and collaboration across every stage from initial design and engineering through production, testing, delivery, and long-term customer support. Our team works to exacting standards to create exceptional vehicles and an elevated ownership experience for discerning clients. Together, we are setting a new standard for iconic American vehicles and building a company defined by quality, innovation, and passion.

Velocity’s Culture and Core Values

Success at Velocity requires a “whatever it takes” mentality. We embody grit, demonstrating perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination in the face of challenges. We are adaptable, embracing change, adjusting to new circumstances, and continuously seeking ways to improve processes and outcomes—because growth does not come from comfort.

We take ownership, assuming full responsibility for tasks, decisions, and outcomes, whether successes or setbacks, without shifting blame. “That’s not my job” is not in our vocabulary; when one part of our team falls short, we all do.

Finally, our ambition fuels our drive to excel, improve, and uphold the highest standards for both personal and professional growth. This mindset defines who we are and ensures our continued success.

Overview

The Quality Manager builds and leads a reliable quality management system across Velocity’s high-mix, low-volume specialty vehicle platforms. This is a system-building role, not just an inspection supervisor. The Quality Manager establishes objective acceptance standards, detects and eliminates repeat defects, converts manufacturing and field failures into permanent improvements, and protects final vehicle release. Engineering retains technical approval authority; Quality controls conformance and verifies effectiveness.

Job Level

Manager

Reports To

Engineering Manager

Direct Reports

• QC Technicians
• Quality Lead

Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Standards & Release Gates

• Create station-, model-, and option-specific Go / No-Go standards with objective tolerances, photos, critical characteristics, and controlled revision history; calibrate inspectors on consistent interpretations.
• Establish incoming, in-process, end-of-line, and final acceptance gates.
• Ensure no vehicle ships with open critical hits or unauthorized build-sheet deviations; document technical dispositions and approvals.
• Place quality holds as needed and escalate disputed releases to the Engineering Manager or senior manufacturing leadership; no unapproved exceptions.

Defect Capture & Corrective Action

• Capture each QC hit by build number, model, option, originating/detection station, severity, defect mode, part, root-cause category, and rework impact; distinguish detection from permanent resolution.
• Lead weekly Pareto-based (80/20) corrective-action reviews; assign a single owner, deliverable, due date, and effectiveness check for the most costly and recurring failures.
• Work with Warranty / Client Experience to analyze field claims and trigger technical corrective actions; ensure Engineering processes required BOM, part, drawing, and work-instruction changes.

Prevention & Cost of Quality

• Build technician self-inspection and first-pass station sign-off with Production and Process; confirm work instructions and training change when failures repeat.
• Quantify rework labor, material replacements, scrap, supplier defects, and warranty cost in coordination with Finance.
• Build and maintain a reliable digital quality dashboard.

Team Leadership & Reporting

• Lead, assess, train, and hold accountable the QC team; implement meeting cadence, staffing coverage, and 3–5 KPIs for each indirect position.
• Lead a weekly operational review covering the top 10 defect Pareto, station of origin versus detection, aged corrective actions, critical holds, and technician self-check compliance.
• Deliver a monthly management report on cost of poor quality, warranty failure modes and costs, implementation of Engineering/process/training changes, and effectiveness results.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• First-pass yield.
• Defects per inspected station / vehicle.
• Repeat defect rate.
• Verified corrective actions completed on time.
• Final quality escapes.
• Cost of poor quality (rework hours and material), reported monthly.
• Team retention and overtime: Department turnover, new-hire 90-day retention, and overtime %, reviewed monthly with HR.

Targets for these measures are set and reviewed on the department scorecard in Ninety and may change based on business needs.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proven launches of objective inspection standards, defect capture, root-cause analysis (RCA / 8D / 5-Why), corrective-action verification, and cross-functional process changes.
• Strong ability to interpret drawings, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Proficiency in ERP/QMS systems, operational dashboards, and digital workflows.
• Hands-on, high-urgency leader willing to work on the floor and challenge other functions professionally.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949 beneficial, but not a substitute for hands-on system-building experience.

Education Background and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7–10+ years of manufacturing quality experience, including 3–5 years leading teams and personally establishing or redesigning a quality system.
• Experience in high-mix, low-volume complex assembly in specialty automotive, marine, aerospace, defense, motorsports, industrial equipment, or a similar environment.
• ASQ certification (CQE, CMQ/OE) a plus.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & General Responsibilities

Achieving excellence at Velocity requires total alignment across every department, driven by our belief that when one part of our team falls short, we all do. To uphold this standard, team members are expected to adapt quickly, step beyond standard role boundaries, and contribute to company-wide priorities whenever organizational demands arise.

Every individual must maintain a continuous improvement mindset and exhibit unwavering accountability in supporting shop operations. While this document outlines core functional expectations, it does not detail every task required; assigned tasks will remain aligned with personal capabilities, safety standards, and operational objectives.

Physical Demands (To include but not limited to)

• Combination of desk work and time spent on the showroom or shop floor.
• Frequent standing and walking; occasional bending, reaching, or stooping.
• Occasional lifting/carrying of items up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to move safely around vehicles, equipment, and shop areas.

Work Environment

• Combination of indoor office environment and regular time on the production floor and inspection areas.
• Shop floor environment with exposure to noise, dust, vehicle exhaust, and temperature variation.
• Possible exposure to fumes, solvents, paint, or chemicals common to automotive restoration; PPE provided as required.

Benefits Include

• Compensation: Pay is based on experience and qualifications.
• Health & Wellness: Health/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability/Aflac available after 60 days.
• Retirement: 401(k) with company match after 6 months at next enrollment period.
• Paid Time Off: Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Additional Perks: Company-sponsored events, tool program, merchandise discounts, friendly team environment.

Job duties, salary, and benefits are subject to change throughout duration of employment with Velocity.

Velocity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Velocity does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.