Interior Supplier Quality Lead: PPAP, Launch & Compliance

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity program

Discretionary incentive program

Benefits package

Job summary

Slate is seeking an energetic Supplier Quality Manager, Interior Commodity, to lead PPAP submissions and drive dimensional and appearance compliance across the interior supply base.

You will head a team of SQEs, coordinate readiness reviews, and collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing and Purchasing to ensure production readiness and on-time launches. A strong track record in interior components and start-up environments is required.

Qualifications

• Engineering Degree or equiv. or previous working level experience.
• 10+ years of Supplier Quality experience including PPAP management, APQP, dimensional and appearance compliance, commodity-based SQE team leadership, and launch support; prior people management or team lead experience required.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills.
• Deep experience with interior commodity components including soft trim, hard trim, instrument panels, door panels, overhead systems, seats, and related plastic and foam assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage PPAP milestones, drive dimensional and appearance compliance, and close corrective actions with measurable results across a complex interior supply base.
• Strong working knowledge of supplier KPI and scorecard development, with the ability to use data to track PPAP status, dimensional compliance, and supplier readiness progress.
• Ability to work directly with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Purchasing to coordinate PPAP approval, appearance sign-off, engineering disposition, and production readiness decisions.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High level of integrity.
• Experience directly managing or leading a team of supplier quality engineers, including task assignment, performance oversight, and technical mentorship.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced start-up environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead PPAP submissions and approval status across interior commodity supply base.
• Drive dimensional, appearance, and functional compliance; execute containment and corrective actions at underperforming suppliers.
• Directly lead a team of Supplier Quality Engineers aligned to interior commodities; provide direction and development support through launch and production.
• Own the interior supplier quality relationship, coordinate readiness reviews and milestone gate activities, and work cross-functionally with Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing to deliver components matching Slate’s standards and launch objectives.

Skills

Supplier Quality

PPAP management

APQP

Dimensional compliance

Appearance compliance

Team leadership

Launch support

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Slate is seeking an energetic Supplier Quality Manager, Interior Commodity, to lead PPAP submissions and drive dimensional and appearance compliance across the interior supply base.

You will head a team of SQEs, coordinate readiness reviews, and collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing and Purchasing to ensure production readiness and on-time launches. A strong track record in interior components and start-up environments is required.