3PL Partner Manager

Slate; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 123,339 - 185,009; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation

401(k)

Equity program

Discretionary annual incentive program

Job summary

Slate is seeking an experienced 3PL Partner Manager in Michigan to lead our 3PL Fulfillment Specialists and oversee relationships with logistics providers. This role ensures inventory planning, SLA adherence, and cost-effective operations that delight customers.

You will partner cross-functionally with Digital/Systems, Sourcing, and Customer Service to optimize processes, monitor performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-growing startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent; hands-on experience acceptable.
• 8+ years warehousing, logistics, and material management, preferably with 3PLs.
• 2+ years in a Supply Chain/Logistics/Business Management leadership role.
• Proven track record overseeing relationships with 3PL providers.
• Strong analytical skills with warehouse management knowledge.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and project management tools.
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools (Tableau/Alteryx/SmartSheets).
• Strong verbal and written communication; able to present data clearly.
• Comfortable in start-up environments; proactive team player.
• Cross-functional collaboration with external partners and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Be the face of Slate to warehouse and logistics (3PL) partners.
• Manage a team of 3PL Fulfillment Specialists responsible for warehousing and fulfillment.
• Own the commercial relationship between 3PL and Slate across cross-functional teams.
• Develop and monitor 3PL performance metrics; drive cost-effective solutions and high service levels.
• Drive the decision-making process with the 3PL to improve effectiveness.
• Validate and approve 3PL invoices against internal records of orders shipped and inventory.
• Track costs vs plan and suggest process improvements to reduce costs.
• Monitor outbound packaging needs and inventory at the 3PL.
• Implement a material cycle counting program with the 3PL for inventory accuracy.
• Track shipments and address discrepancies between vendor notices and receipts.
• Assist in developing a 3PL ecosystem for Service Parts, Accessories, and Apparel.

Skills

3PL Partner Management

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Startup adaptability

Inventory management

Vendor relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Supply Chain / related field

Tools

ERP Systems

Project Management tools

Excel

Tableau

Alteryx

SmartSheets

Job description

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 looking for an energetic, organized, and experienced 3PL Partner Manager to join our growing team.

As a 3PL Partner Manager, you will lead a team of 3PL Fulfillment Specialists and support our Third Party Logistics (3PL) providers, along with the associated inventory to meet delivery of product to our customers. This role will support our 3PL, who will warehouse and ship our products to our customers as they are ordered. Reporting directly to the Sales Operations Lead, you are customer‑led in everything that you do. Your primary responsibility is to lead all aspects of our relationship with our 3PL while maintaining tracking of inventory ordered for and located at the 3PL. You will work directly with our 3PL on developing the interactions between Slate and the 3PL, driving process and system improvement to meet and beat our SLA (Service Level Agreements) with our customers while maintaining appropriate inventory levels of shipping supplies and products.

What You Get To Do

• Be the face of Slate to our warehousing and logistics (3PL) partner.
• Manage a team of 3PL Fulfillment Specialists responsible for managing our warehousing and fulfillment of products to our customers.
• Function as the primary point of contact between the 3PL and Slate cross‑functional teams, including but not limited to, Digital / Systems teams, Individual Business Units, Customer Service / Success, and Sourcing; you will own the commercial relationship with the 3PL.
• Through the development and monitoring of performance metrics of the 3PL, you will proactively address issues to optimize operations and achieve cost‑effective solutions while maintaining high levels of service for our customers.
• With the 3PL, you will drive the decision‑making process to improve 3PL effectiveness.
• Through tracking and analytical review, you will validate and approve the 3PL’s monthly invoices against our internal records of orders shipped, product received, and inventory levels.
• You will track monthly actual costs vs plan, making suggestions for improvements to our planning process and other processes to reduce costs.
• Monitor outbound packaging needs and inventory at the 3PL.
• Implement and execute a material cycle counting program with the 3PL, intended to maintain high inventory accuracy.
• You will track expected shipments of product to the 3PL and monitor discrepancies between vendor shipment notifications and physical receipts at the 3PL.
• As Slate grows, you will assist with developing a 3PL ecosystem through strategic and quantitative analysis for Service Parts, Accessories, and Apparel and Merch, including developing and implementing a selection process for future 3PL partners.

What You Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Material Management, Material Analytics, Operations, or equivalent is preferred. While a degree is preferred, we value hands‑on experience and a proven track record of success as a suitable substitute and encourage candidates to apply who can demonstrate relevant and commensurate professional experience.
• 8+ years of experience in warehousing, logistics, and material management, preferably directly working with 3PLs or warehousing.
• 2+ years of previous manager experience in a Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business Management role is required.
• You will be the face of Slate to our 3PL Partners. You must demonstrate a proven track record overseeing relationships with third‑party logistics (3PL) service providers, coupled with the ability to be an effective brand representative and ambassador to the Slate community.
• Strong analytical skills, with sufficient understanding of basic and advanced warehouse management processes and practices.
• Proficiency in ERP Systems and Project Management tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or other data analysis tools, such as SmartSheets, Tableau, Alteryx, or other scripting tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an understanding of how to present complex data in easily understood ways to multiple levels with the business.
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities, with attention to detail.
• Comfortable in start‑up environments. You can roll up your sleeves to do the work and build, or recommend the tools needed to be successful as the company grows.
• A proactive, “one company” teammate with a continuous improvement approach, equally comfortable with warehousing practices, material management, business planning, and financial implications.
• Capability to work cross‑functionally with external partners and internal teams, building strong relationships that produce positive results.

Physical Requirements

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 25%).
• Must have the ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

Salary Range

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job‑related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Annual Base Pay Range: $123,339 to $185,009 USD

Additional Compensation and Benefits

Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 [e-mail].