Senior Buyer Chassis

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
slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.