Operations Group Lead, Body - 1st Shift

Slate; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking an Operations Group Lead for our Body Shop to drive daily production, lead a hands-on team, and ensure safe, high-quality output on schedule. You will coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to keep production stable, repeatable, and efficient.

The ideal candidate has 5–8 years in automotive manufacturing, a BIW background, and strong Lean/Problem-Solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent hands-on manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5–8 years in automotive or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience on the production floor.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise Body Shop production associates and/or team leads to meet daily production targets.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety standards, quality requirements, and standardized work instructions.
• Execute daily production plans, manage staffing, and balance labor to support takt time and throughput.
• Monitor and drive performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People metrics.
• Lead daily tier meetings, shift handovers, and production floor communication.
• Identify production issues and lead first-level root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Escalate complex or cross-functional issues effectively and follow through to closure.
• Support Manufacturing Engineering with PFMEAs, control plans, and implementation of process changes.
• Partner with Quality and Maintenance to resolve downtime, defects, and rework.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean manufacturing tools and standard problem-solving methods.
• Coach, train, and develop production associates to build skills, engagement, and accountability.
• Maintain accurate reporting of production performance, safety incidents, and quality concerns.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

BIW processes

Safety & quality

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field

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

We are seeking an Operations Group Lead to lead day-to-day production activities within the Body Shop. This role is a hands-on, floor-focused leadership position responsible for supervising production associates and team leads, ensuring safe operations, high-quality output, and on-time delivery. The Operations Group Lead partners closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to support stable, repeatable, and efficient production.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Directly supervise Body Shop production associates and/or team leads to meet daily production targets.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety standards, quality requirements, and standardized work instructions.
• Execute daily production plans, manage staffing, and balance labor to support takt time and throughput.
• Monitor and drive performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People metrics.
• Lead daily tier meetings, shift handovers, and production floor communication.
• Identify production issues and lead first-level root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Escalate complex or cross-functional issues effectively and follow through to closure.
• Support Manufacturing Engineering with PFMEAs, control plans, and implementation of process changes.
• Partner with Quality and Maintenance to resolve downtime, defects, and rework.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean manufacturing tools and standard problem-solving methods.
• Coach, train, and develop production associates to build skills, engagement, and accountability.
• Maintain accurate reporting of production performance, safety incidents, and quality concerns.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent hands-on manufacturing leadership experience).
• 5–8 years of experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience on the production floor.
• Strong working knowledge of Body-in-White (BIW) processes, equipment, and inspection methods preferred.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, safety-critical, and highly automated environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence hourly teams and partner cross-functionally.
• Ability to prioritize, make timely decisions, and remain engaged under pressure.
• Comfortable spending the majority of time on the shop floor in an industrial 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 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].

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.\u2009We 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.