Senior Buyer Chassis

Slate; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a senior Category Sourcing & Strategy leader to own complex procurement across production parts, tooling, and services in the USA. You will lead RFIs/RFQs, negotiate multi‑million‑dollar contracts, and drive enterprise cost reductions while partnering with Engineering, Quality, and Program teams to ensure early procurement involvement in new launches.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in procurement, deep automotive category experience, and strong data analytics skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years in Procurement/Supply Chain or Engineering.
• 5+ years in automotive industry with commodity specialization.
• Proven ownership of complex categories and multi‑million‑dollar contracts.
• Strong cost reduction and risk mitigation experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute category sourcing strategy across high‑value parts, tooling, and services.
• Lead RFIs, RFQs, and negotiations for production and service parts.
• Negotiate and manage long‑term supplier agreements and associated contracts.
• Develop supplier relationships and scorecards; drive supplier development and onboarding.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Program teams for early procurement involvement in launches.
• Identify savings opportunities and drive enterprise‑level cost reductions.

Skills

ERP systems

Excel

AI tools

Analytical skills

Communication

Mentoring

Process improvements

CPSM/CPM

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

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.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

Category Sourcing & Strategy

Own and set the sourcing strategy for complex, high-value, or multiple commodity categories, building a resilient supply base that meets Slate’s cost, quality, delivery, and Job 1 launch targets. Lead RFIs, RFQs, and commercial negotiations for production parts, service parts, tooling, and services, and independently resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues as they arise.

Contract & Commercial Management

• Independently negotiate complex, multi-million-dollar supply agreements, including pricing, payment terms, lead times, and quality specifications
• Negotiate and administer long‑term supply agreements, blanket orders, and consignment programs aligned with demand planning
• Administer NDA processes and manage General Terms & Conditions (GTCs), Purchased Part Agreements (PPAs), and other supplier contracts throughout their lifecycle
• Oversee change management and PO updates during design phases, and manage pricing adjustments for raw materials per contract terms

Supplier Relationship Management & Development

• Develop and execute category strategies that align the supply base with Slate’s cost, quality, and capacity needs
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes and competitive bid analysis, and prepare business cases to support sourcing decisions
• Own strategic supplier relationships through regular business reviews and performance scorecards (OTD, quality, pricing, service)
• Drive supplier development, qualification, and onboarding in partnership with Quality and Engineering teams
• Lead escalation resolution for supply disruptions, quality escapes, and delivery issues to protect production continuity
• Hold suppliers accountable to agreed performance, quality, and delivery commitments through corrective action plans

Commodity Strategy, Risk Management & Cost Savings

• Be accountable for enterprise‑level cost reduction targets across categories, identifying and delivering measurable year-over‑year savings
• Drive commodity strategy and risk mitigation, including forward contracting and index‑linked pricing
• Own full supply chain risk mapping and mitigation strategy for critical categories, including sub‑tier visibility
• Monitor commodity markets and price trends, and provide commodity forecasts and cost models to support annual budgeting
• Serve as liaison between Purchasing and Cost Estimating to align material pricing with project estimates and review estimated vs. actual costs
• Use spend analysis and reporting to identify savings opportunities and prepare period‑end procurement reports

Leadership & Collaboration

• Operate with full autonomy while keeping Procurement leadership informed on category performance, risks, and savings
• Mentor Buyer I and Buyer II team members and informally lead category teams
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Program teams to ensure early procurement involvement in new program launches

Education & Experience

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of combined experience in Procurement/Supply Chain Management or Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in the automotive industry, with deep specialization in one or more commodity categories
• Demonstrated ownership of complex, high‑value, or multiple categories, including setting category strategy
• Experience independently negotiating complex, multi‑million‑dollar supply contracts
• Track record of delivering enterprise‑level cost reduction targets across categories
• Experience driving commodity strategy and risk mitigation, such as forward contracting and index‑linked pricing

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge and experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Plex, Oracle, NetSuite)
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, cost modeling, pivot tables, and reporting
• Intermediate+ skills in using AI tools to enhance procurement workflows and analytics
• Strong analytical, strategic‑thinking, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and present business cases to senior leadership
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross‑functional, executive, and supplier interaction
• Ability to mentor Buyer I and Buyer II team members and informally lead category teams
• Ability to identify process issues and drive improvements to improve operational efficiency
• High level of integrity and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced start‑up environment
• CPSM, CPM, or equivalent professional certification preferred

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 Affimative 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].