Senior Buyer Chassis

Slate Auto LLC; United States; Vor Ort; USD 140.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Slate is seeking a seasoned procurement leader to define and execute category strategies for high-value automotive components in the United States. You will own RFIs/RFQs, negotiate multi-million-dollar contracts, and drive supplier readiness in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Finance.

You will build strong supplier partnerships, lead risk mitigation, and deliver enterprise-wide cost savings while mentoring teammates in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years in Procurement/Supply Chain or Engineering; automotive industry experience preferred.
• Experience negotiating complex, multi-million-dollar supply contracts.

Aufgaben

• Own sourcing strategy for complex, high-value categories; lead RFIs, RFQs, and commercial negotiations for production parts, tooling, and services.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing strategy with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Cost Estimating, and Finance.
• Negotiate and administer long-term supply agreements, blanket orders, and PPAs; manage NDAs and GTCs.
• Drive supplier development, qualification, onboarding, and supplier relationship management.
• Lead escalation resolution for supply disruptions, quality escapes, and delivery issues to protect production.
• Own strategic supplier relationships through business reviews and performance scorecards.

Kenntnisse

Negotiation

Advanced Excel

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Executive communication

Mentoring

AI tools for procurement

Ausbildung

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

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Jobbeschreibung

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. Lead cross-functional sourcing strategy in partnership with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Cost Estimating, and Finance to drive supplier readiness, supply chain risk mitigation, and launch timing. Serve as a category expert and trusted advisor to the broader Purchasing team while ensuring adherence to Slate Global Terms and Conditions.

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

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

Education & Experience 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 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.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.