Material Planner

Slate Auto; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 96,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a dedicated Material Planner to ensure timely material availability across production, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to keep manufacturing running smoothly. You will develop material plans from forecasts and orders, monitor inventory, support Just-In-Time delivery, and drive continuous improvements using Lean and Six Sigma.

Strong analytical skills and ERP/MRP experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field preferred.
• 5+ years in material and production planning.
• Experience in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related methodologies.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute material requirements plans based on production forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets.
• Monitor inventory levels, conduct cycle counts, and collaborate with warehouse staff to maintain accurate records.
• Coordinate with suppliers to confirm delivery schedules and resolve issues related to quality or logistics.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to ensure material readiness for launches and changes.
• Participate in lean and Six Sigma projects to optimize material flow and reduce waste.
• Analyze material consumption trends and generate reports for management decision-making.
• Cross-functional collaboration with purchasing, logistics, quality, and engineering to resolve shortages.
• Document material plans, inventory transactions, and supplier communications for audits.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Excel proficiency

ERP/MRP systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Data interpretation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management

Equivalent experience in manufacturing/planning

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Plex

FUUZ

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:

Material Planner plays a vital role in supporting operational excellence by ensuring timely and efficient flow of materials throughout the production process. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimizing material availability to meet production demands while driving improvements in inventory management, supplier logistics, and packaging solutions. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong analytical mindset, deep organizational skills, and an unwavering commitment to collaborative problem-solving.

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.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

• Material Planning & Scheduling: Develop and execute material requirements plans based on production forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets. Ensure raw materials, components, and packaging are available at the right time and quantity to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
• Inventory Control: Monitor inventory levels, conduct regular cycle counts, and collaborate with warehouse staff to maintain accurate records. Identify and resolve discrepancies, optimize stock levels, and support initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
• Supplier Coordination: Communicate with suppliers to confirm delivery schedules, expedite urgent orders, and resolve issues related to quality or logistics. Support supplier performance reviews and contribute to just-in-time (JIT) delivery initiatives.
• Production Support: Collaborate with production supervisors and engineering teams to ensure material readiness for product launches and engineering changes. Support the ramp-up and phase-out of products by managing material transitions and obsolescence.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement projects focused on optimizing material flow, reducing waste, and enhancing process efficiency.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Utilize Microsoft Excel and other tools to analyze material consumption trends, forecast requirements, and generate reports for management review. Leverage pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and other advanced functions to synthesize data and support decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with purchasing, logistics, quality, and engineering teams to resolve material shortages, bottlenecks, or process issues. Communicate proactively to prevent disruptions and foster a culture of teamwork. Frequent interaction with purchasing, warehouse, production, engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Process Documentation: Maintain accurate documentation of material plans, inventory transactions, and supplier correspondence in accordance with company policies and audit requirements. Support coordination and execution of factory production schedules to ensure timely completion of work orders and effective use of manufacturing resources. Manage vehicle work orders and collaborate with production teams to resolve scheduling conflicts and prioritize critical tasks.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience in a manufacturing or materials planning role will be considered.
• 5+ of pertinent professional experience in material and production planning
• Experience in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
• Background in supporting product launches, engineering change management, and material transitions.
• Previous experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., automotive, medical devices, aerospace) is an asset.
• Skills Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions and interact professionally with all levels of the organization.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas, and data analysis).
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, FUUZ, Plex or similar) is highly desirable.
• Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated with a drive for accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with automotive or high-volume production systems, supplier logistics, and JIT delivery models.

Performance Indicators

• On-time material availability supporting production schedules.
• Accuracy and timeliness of inventory records and reports.
• Reduction in excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventory.
• Supplier delivery performance and responsiveness to material issues.
• Contributions to process improvement initiatives (lean, Six Sigma, JIT).

Professional Development Opportunities

• Support for Professional certifications (APICS, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Mentorship and growth into senior planning, purchasing, or supply chain leadership roles.

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. Base Pay Range (Annual) 96,333.00 - 144,499.00 USD Annual

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affi… 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.