Buyer 1 - Wiring & Electrical Components

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Auto is seeking an experienced Buyer to manage strategic sourcing of high and low voltage wiring harnesses and electrical components. This role requires 8–10 years in procurement or supply chain within automotive or manufacturing settings, with proven supplier negotiation capabilities.

The position emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to meet cost targets and ensure on-time program launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related experience in supply chain, engineering, or business.
• 8–10 years in procurement, supply chain management, or engineering (automotive/manufacturing preferred).
• Proven sourcing of automotive wiring harnesses and electrical components.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic supply base for high/low voltage wiring harnesses and components.
• Lead supplier RFIs, RFQs, negotiations, and agreements to meet cost targets and program timing.
• Ensure supplier production readiness and capacity for programs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management to resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues.
• Perform cost analyses and lead cost reduction opportunities with supplier partners.
• Monitor supplier performance and develop risk mitigation for program launches.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Negotiation

ERP Systems

Supply Chain Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP

Plex

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. 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 High Voltage Low Voltage Wiring Harnesses, Electrical Distribution, Electrical Components Buyer to join our growing team. This role requires someone who possesses experience in electrical distribution / wiring components buying and market realities and brings a “roll up the sleeves” mindset. Automotive buying experience is desired but not required. A solid candidate here will thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where responsibilities are wide-ranging and collaboration is key. We embrace a startup company mindset of being fast, frugal, scrappy, and fun. Important skills include strong business acumen, negotiations, personal accountability, strategic commodity thinking, relationship building, total cost analysis, and communications.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Manage a strategic supply base for SLATE’s tiered high voltage and low voltage electrical wiring harnesses and low voltage electrical components.
• Sourcing: Seek out high quality, qualified supplier candidates, establish sourcing strategies and agreement principles, and drive sourcing approvals for electrical production and service parts, tooling, and services. Document the sourcing agreements and own the supplier agreements which drive the relationships.
• Lead supplier RFIs, RFQs, negotiations, and commercial agreements to meet program cost targets, functional and manufacturing deliverables, and our Job 1 launch timing.
• Ensuring supplier production and capacity readiness, and program timing.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management to resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues.
• Perform financial analysis and cost break down analysis to identify, negotiate, and implement cost reduction opportunities including value engineering initiatives with our supplier partners.
• Monitor SLATE partner performance and develop risk mitigation actions to support program launch and ensure supply continuity.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Slate’s Global Terms and Conditions and commercial agreements.
• Identify critical / high risk tiered subcomponents and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Communicate supplier risks, program impacts, and sourcing priorities to internal stakeholders.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or experience.
• 8–10 years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering. Automotive or manufacturing industries are preferred.
• Proven experience sourcing automotive wiring harnesses and electrical components.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Sufficient experience to identify process issues and drive improvements.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Plex, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• An orientation to action and accountability.
• Flexibility. Ability to adapt to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

SLATE is a new OEM bringing an innovative new vehicle to the market that has left many customers behind. Team Slate fosters a culture of resourcefulness, 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 andAffirmative 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].

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

SLATE is a new OEM bringing an innovative new vehicle to the market that has left many customers behind. Team Slate fosters a culture of resourcefulness, 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

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 andAffirmative 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].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.