Supplier Quality Manager - Exterior and Closures

Slate; Center (IN); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation

401k

Equity program

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Slate is seeking a Supplier Quality Manager, Exterior & Closures, to lead supplier quality across exterior components. You will drive PPAP, dimensional and appearance compliance, and lead a team of SQ Engineers through launch and production readiness.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing and Purchasing to ensure components meet Slate’s quality standards and program milestones, while guiding improvements and containment actions.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in supplier quality incl. PPAP, APQP, and launch support.
• People management or team lead experience required.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead PPAP submissions and approval status for exterior/closures.
• Drive dimensional and appearance compliance with suppliers.
• Containment and corrective actions for underperforming suppliers.

Skills

PPAP management

APQP

DIMENSIONAL & appearance compliance

Team leadership

Supplier quality analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Start-up environment adaptability

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

PPAP management tools

APQP processes

KPI / scorecard tracking

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

SLATE is looking for an energetic, organized, experienced Supplier Quality Manager, Exterior & Closures to join our growing team. The SQM, Exterior & Closures will lead supplier quality execution across Slate’s exterior and closures supply base, with accountability spanning body panels, fascias, glass, mirrors, doors, tailgate, hood, liftgate, and related exterior and closure components. This position is accountable for driving PPAP completion, dimensional and appearance compliance, and supplier readiness in support of program milestones and production launch.

What You Get To Do

In this position, the candidate will be responsible for managing PPAP submissions and approval status across the exterior and closures supply base, driving dimensional, appearance, and functional compliance, and executing containment and corrective action at underperforming suppliers. The SQM will directly lead a team of Supplier Quality Engineers aligned to exterior and closure commodities, providing direction, prioritization, and development support through launch and into production. This role is pivotal in owning the exterior and closures supplier quality relationship, coordinating readiness reviews and milestone gate activities, and working cross-functionally with Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing to deliver exterior and closure components that meet Slate’s quality standards and launch objectives.

What You Bring To The Team

• 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 exterior and closure components including body panels, fascias, glass, mirrors, doors, tailgate, hood, liftgate, and related stamped, molded, and glazing assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage PPAP milestones, drive dimensional and appearance compliance, and close corrective actions with measurable results across a complex exterior and closures 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.

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)

$123,339- $185,009 USD Annual

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

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 Affinitive 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.