ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Slate is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Material Planning Supervisor to lead our automotive material planning team. This role is responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted flow of materials to support production schedules, while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing supply chain risks. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in automotive or high volume manufacturing, excellent leadership skills, and a deep understanding of supply chain planning systems and lean principles.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

Team Leadership & Strategy

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of material planners, setting clear goals and performance expectations.
• Lead daily planning meetings and ensure alignment between production, procurement, and logistics teams.
• Develop and implement strategic material planning processes that support business goals and customer requirements.

Material Planning & Scheduling

• Create and manage material requirement plans (MRPs) based on production forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets.
• Ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials to meet production schedules without overstocking.
• Monitor supplier performance and coordinate with purchasing to resolve delivery or quality issues.

Inventory & Supply Chain Optimization

• Maintain optimal inventory levels by balancing supply and demand, reducing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Analyze usage trends, lead times, and capacity constraints to improve planning accuracy.
• Implement and maintain the Plan for Every Part (PFEP) to ensure efficient material flow and storage.
• Oversee the transition of obsolete parts, ensuring minimum financial liability and waste reduction.
• Support manufacturing changes / Change Management and process enhancements, ensuring materials are consistently available. Support NPI & launch activities related to change management.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for material planning, improving efficiency and accountability.
• Optimize cost-saving strategies while maintaining quality and productivity standards.

Systems & Data Management

• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage material planning, scheduling, and reporting.
• Ensure data accuracy in bills of materials (BOMs), item masters, and inventory records.
• Generate and analyze KPIs such as inventory turns, on-time delivery, and material availability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production, quality, engineering, and logistics teams to support new product launches and engineering changes.
• Coordinate with suppliers and logistics providers to ensure timely inbound material flow.
• Support packaging and labeling compliance for inbound and outbound materials.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and participate in lean initiatives to streamline material flow and reduce waste.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance planning efficiency and responsiveness.
• Conduct root cause analysis for material shortages and implement corrective actions.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

Education and Experience

• 12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Plex, FUUZ, Etc.) and inventory control practices.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with automotive production systems, supplier logistics, and just-in-time (JIT) delivery models.
• Knowledge of packaging engineering and returnable container management.
• Experience supporting product launches and engineering change management.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First

• Delight Customers

• One Team

• Relentless Improvement

• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy

• Respectful Collaboration

• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at

slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.