Motorsports Operations Lead — Racecar Prep & Team Growth

Vaco; Plainfield (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking a Motorsports Operations Manager in Plainfield, IN to lead the day-to-day operations of its racing program. You will oversee a 5-7 person team, coordinate racecar preparation, and ensure readiness for tests and race weekends across the season.

The role combines people leadership, operations management, scheduling, quality control, and project execution in a fast-moving, hands-on environment. Travel nationwide for racing and testing is required.

Qualifications

• Proven people-management or team leadership experience.
• Ability to build credibility with a hands-on, technically skilled workforce.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience managing projects, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt quickly when priorities change.
• High degree of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Willingness to travel nationwide for racing and testing events.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a team of approximately 5-7 employees, establishing clear responsibilities and balancing workloads.
• Hold regular one-on-one conversations around performance, workload, concerns, and goals.
• Create accountability while ensuring team members feel heard, supported, and valued.
• Identify personnel and workload challenges early and address them before they affect performance.
• Lead by example and remain engaged with the team when deadlines require additional effort.
• Develop and maintain racecar service and preparation schedules around upcoming tests, races, and program commitments.
• Coordinate labor, priorities, and realistic completion timelines.
• Ensure cars are completed and inspected with appropriate time ahead of track events.
• Monitor progress, anticipate delays, and adjust resources as priorities change.
• Coordinate projects ranging from racecar modifications and prototype components to broader team and equipment needs.
• Maintain high standards for quality, reliability, safety, and workmanship.
• Ensure consistent maintenance procedures, build standards, checklists, and inspection processes across the fleet.
• Make sure racecars are properly prepared for every test day and race weekend.
• Identify recurring issues and opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, and quality.
• Take ownership of the team's overall organization and execution.
• Communicate deadlines, priorities, responsibilities, and project updates clearly.
• Adapt quickly as racing schedules, projects, and operational priorities evolve.
• Communicate difficult changes constructively, helping the team understand what is changing and what needs to happen next.
• Maintain team engagement even when changing priorities require work to be adjusted or redone.
• Remain calm, practical, and solutions-oriented in a high-pressure environment.
• Make thoughtful decisions around labor, parts, repairs, maintenance, and other resources.
• Reduce unnecessary waste and rework without compromising quality, reliability, or safety.
• Balance operational efficiency with the demands of maintaining properly prepared, competitive racecars.

Skills

People management

Hands-on technical leadership

Communication skills

Project management

Planning & organization

Adaptability

Ownership & accountability

Willingness to travel nationwide

Excel proficiency

Tools

Excel

Job description

Vaco is seeking a Motorsports Operations Manager in Plainfield, IN to lead the day-to-day operations of its racing program. You will oversee a 5-7 person team, coordinate racecar preparation, and ensure readiness for tests and race weekends across the season.

The role combines people leadership, operations management, scheduling, quality control, and project execution in a fast-moving, hands-on environment. Travel nationwide for racing and testing is required.