Operations Manager - Auto Interiors & Upholstery

Position: Division Manager, FF Interiors Reports To: VP of Operations | Type: Full-Time, On-Site | Compensation: Competitive DOE About Fat Fender Garage Fat Fender Garage is a premier custom automotive fabrication company based in Gilbert, Arizona, operating across four specialized divisions: FF Chassis Co., FF Interiors, FF Performance, and Build Operations. With over a decade of building award-winning vehicles — including SEMA Battle of the Builders competition and more than 100,000 YouTube subscribers — FFG is recognized as one of the most credible builder brands in the country. Our work is defined by craft authenticity, builder credibility, and an uncompromising standard of quality. Role Overview The Division Manager of FF Interiors is a senior leadership role responsible for the complete operational and creative output of the interiors division. This person owns the outcomes — from scheduling and production flow to design quality, team performance, and new product development. You will manage a team of interior designers and a shop production foreman, driving accountability and excellence across all active projects. This is not a hands-off management role. The ideal candidate has deep roots in upholstery or automotive interiors, carries genuine design sensibility, and brings proven production management experience. You can speak the language of the craftsmen on the floor and translate vision into deliverables on time and on spec. Core Responsibilities Production & Scheduling Own the division's build schedule from intake through delivery, ensuring all projects are sequenced, resourced, and on track Manage production flow across active builds, identifying bottlenecks and resolving them before they become delays Coordinate with Build Operations and other FFG divisions to align timing and shared resources Maintain accurate job status visibility at all times for leadership and clients KPI Management & Reporting Define, track, and report on key performance indicators including throughput, on-time delivery, labor efficiency, and quality metrics Build and maintain department-level dashboards and reporting cadence for VP of Operations review Hold the team accountable to measurable outcomes, using data to drive decisions and continuous improvement Directly manage the shop production foreman and interior design team Set clear expectations, conduct regular performance conversations, and develop team members for growth Build a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, and pride of work throughout the division Recruit, onboard, and retain top talent as the division scales Design Oversight & Client Experience Provide creative direction and quality oversight on all interior builds, ensuring FFG's design standards are upheld Bring an innovative perspective that looks beyond current industry trends — identifying new materials, processes, and styling directions before they become mainstream Collaborate with clients and build teams to translate vision into executable interior specs Review and approve materials, colorways, finishes, and execution details at key project milestones Maintain an informed perspective on trends in custom automotive interiors, luxury finishing, and materials Connect people and processes end-to-end to drive quality control outcomes and consistently high customer satisfaction New Product Development Lead the development of new interior products and offerings in collaboration with FF Performance and Build Operations Manage NPD pipeline from concept through production-ready, coordinating design, sourcing, prototyping, and validation Identify opportunities to productize FFG's interior capabilities into scalable, repeatable offerings Challenge conventional approaches — bring fresh thinking to how interiors are designed, built, and delivered Qualifications Required 5+ years of production management experience in automotive interiors, upholstery, or a closely related discipline Demonstrated experience managing a team of craftsmen and/or designers in a production environment Proven ability to build and manage schedules, track KPIs, and drive accountability through data Strong working knowledge of upholstery materials, trim processes, and custom interior fabrication An eye for design — capable of evaluating and directing aesthetic decisions with confidence Innovative mindset — able to look past what's standard in the industry and push toward what's next in process, style, and materials Strong connector of people and processes; able to align teams, vendors, and workflows to achieve quality outcomes and client satisfaction Excellent communication skills; able to interface effectively with clients, craftsmen, and leadership Preferred Experience in custom automotive builds, restomod, or specialty vehicle finishing Background in new product development or bringing interior products from concept to production Working knowledge of automotive audio components and the major players in the space (Focal, JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, etc.) — able to speak intelligently with clients and vendors about integration and placement CAD experience using design tools such as Alias, SolidWorks, Rhino 3D, or similar — used in our shop for custom component design and fabrication planning Familiarity with ERP or production management systems (FFG is currently on Odoo) SEMA network or exposure to the custom and collector car space What We Offer Competitive compensation — Division Manager roles at FFG are compensated based on experience. A seat at one of the most respected builder brands in the country National brand recognition A growing company with real opportunity to shape the division you lead A team that takes the work seriously and takes pride in building things that matter To express interest, contact Fat Fender Garage at View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr Fat Fender Garage