Buyer II Electrical

Slate; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 109,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety First

Delight Customers

One Team

Relentless Improvement

Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy

Respectful Collaboration

Positive Legacy

Job summary

Slate is seeking an energetic Sr. Buyer - Electrical Modules and Components to join our team in the USA.

This role focuses on electronics components sourcing, supplier management, market realities, and cost targets for automotive parts within a fast-paced startup environment. You will lead supplier RFIs, RFQs, and negotiations; establish sourcing strategies and supplier agreements; ensure production readiness and on-time launches; and collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field.
• 8–10 years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering; automotive/manufacturing preferred.
• Proven experience sourcing automotive electrical systems.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Plex, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Manage a strategic supply base for Slate's tiered electrical components.
• Sourcing: identify supplier candidates, establish sourcing strategies and agreement principles, and drive sourcing approvals.
• Lead supplier RFIs, RFQs, negotiations, and commercial agreements to meet program targets and launch timing.
• Ensure supplier production and capacity readiness and program timing.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management to resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities including value engineering with suppliers.
• Monitor partner performance and develop risk mitigation actions for supply continuity.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Slate's Global Terms and Conditions and commercial agreements.
• Identify critical high-risk subcomponents and develop mitigation strategies.
• Communicate supplier risks and priorities to internal stakeholders.

Skills

Procurement expertise

Supply chain management

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Integrity and accountability

Adaptability in startup

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain / engineering / business

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.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Slate is looking for an energetic, organized, and experienced Sr. Buyer - Electrical Modules and Components to join our growing team. This role requires someone who possesses experience in electronics components buying and market realities but 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.

At Slate, we are committed to providing our employees and candidates with access to information about our compensation practices. The expected base salary range offered for this role is $108,800-$136,000. Compensation may vary based on relevant experience, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location.

We embrace a startup company mindset of being fast, frugal, scrappy, and fun. Important skills include strong business acumen, personal accountability, strategic commodity thinking, relationship building, total cost analysis, communication, and negotiation.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Manage a strategic supply base for SLATE's tiered 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.
• 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 Electrical systems.
• 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.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Flexibility. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.

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 Affir

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].