Buyer 1 - Wiring & Electrical Components

About the role

Slate is building safe, reliable, affordable vehicles that people can personalize and love, manufactured in the USA as part of a reindustrialization effort. The company embraces a DIY/spirit of customization and a startup mindset of being fast, frugal, scrappy, and fun. They are seeking an energetic, organized, and experienced High Voltage Low Voltage Wiring Harnesses, Electrical Distribution, Electrical Components Buyer to join the growing team. The role requires experience in electrical distribution/wiring components buying, a roll‑up‑the‑sleeves mindset, and thrives in a fast‑paced startup environment where responsibilities are wide‑ranging and collaboration is key. Important skills include strong business acumen, negotiations, personal accountability, strategic commodity thinking, relationship building, total cost analysis, and communications.

Responsibilities

• Manage a strategic supply base for SLATE’s tiered high voltage and low voltage electrical wiring harnesses and low voltage electrical components.
• Sourcing: seek out high quality, qualified supplier candidates, establish sourcing strategies and agreement principles, and drive sourcing approvals for electrical production and service parts, tooling, and services.
• Document the sourcing agreements and own the supplier agreements which drive the relationships.
• Lead supplier RFIs, RFQs, negotiations, and commercial agreements to meet program cost targets, functional and manufacturing deliverables, and Job 1 launch timing.
• Ensure supplier production and capacity readiness, and program timing.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Program Management to resolve cost, quality, and delivery issues.
• Perform financial analysis and cost break down analysis to identify, negotiate, and implement cost reduction opportunities including value engineering initiatives with supplier partners.
• Monitor SLATE partner performance and develop risk mitigation actions to support program launch and ensure supply continuity.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Slate’s Global Terms and Conditions and commercial agreements.
• Identify critical / high risk tiered subcomponents and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Communicate supplier risks, program impacts, and sourcing priorities to internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 8–10 years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering.
• Automotive or manufacturing industry experience preferred.
• Proven experience sourcing automotive wiring harnesses and electrical components.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Sufficient experience to identify process issues and drive improvements.