Material Planner

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate were building safe reliable vehicles that people can afford personalize and loveand 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:

Material Planner plays a vital role in supporting operational excellence by ensuring timely and efficient flow of materials throughout the production process. This role is responsible for planning coordinating and optimizing material availability to meet production demands while driving improvements in inventory management supplier logistics and packaging solutions. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong analytical mindset deep organizational skills and an unwavering commitment to collaborative problem-solving.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

Material Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and execute material requirements plans based on production forecasts customer orders and inventory targets.

• Ensure raw materials components and packaging are available at the right time and quantity to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.

Inventory Control

• Monitor inventory levels conduct regular cycle counts and collaborate with warehouse staff to maintain accurate records.

• Identify and resolve discrepancies optimize stock levels and support initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.

Supplier Coordination

• Communicate with suppliers to confirm delivery schedules expedite urgent orders and resolve issues related to quality or logistics.

• Support supplier performance reviews and contribute to just-in-time (JIT) delivery initiatives.

Production Support

• Collaborate with production supervisors and engineering teams to ensure material readiness for product launches and engineering changes

• Support the ramp-up and phase-out of products by managing material transitions and obsolescence.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in lean manufacturing Six Sigma and other continuous improvement projects focused on optimizing material flow reducing waste and enhancing process efficiency.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Utilize Microsoft Excel and other tools to analyze material consumption trends forecast requirements and generate reports for management review

• Leverage pivot tables VLOOKUP and other advanced functions to synthesize data and support decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with purchasing logistics quality and engineering teams to resolve material shortages bottlenecks or process issues.

• Communicate proactively to prevent disruptions and foster a culture of teamwork.

• Frequent interaction with purchasing warehouse production engineering and quality assurance teams.

Process Documentation

• Maintain accurate documentation of material plans inventory transactions and supplier correspondence in accordance with company policies and audit requirements.

• Support coordination and execution of factory production schedules to ensure timely completion of work orders and effective use of manufacturing resources.

• Manage vehicle work orders and collaborate with production teams to resolve scheduling conflicts and prioritize critical tasks.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

Education

• Bachelors degree in supply chain management Business Administration Engineering or related field preferred. Equivalent experience in a manufacturing or materials planning role will be considered.

Experience

• 5 of pertinent professional experience in material and production planning

• Experience in lean manufacturing Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies

• Background in supporting product launches engineering change management and material transitions.

• Previous experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g. automotive medical devices aerospace) is an asset.

Skills

• Demonstrated analytical organizational and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable plans.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proven ability to collaborate across functions and interact professionally with all levels of the organization.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite especially Excel (pivot tables VLOOKUP formulas and data analysis). Experience with ERP/MRP systems (such as SAP Oracle FUUZ Plex or similar) is highly desirable.

• Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Self-motivated with a drive for accuracy efficiency and continuous improvement.

• Familiarity with automotive or high-volume production systems supplier logistics and JIT delivery models.

Performance Indicators

• On-time material availability supporting production schedules.

• Accuracy and timeliness of inventory records and reports.

• Reduction in excess obsolete or slow-moving inventory.

• Supplier delivery performance and responsiveness to material issues.

• Contributions to process improvement initiatives (lean Six Sigma JIT).

Professional Development

• Opportunities for ongoing training in supply chain management lean manufacturing and ERP systems.

• Support for Professional certifications (APICS Six Sigma etc.).

• Mentorship and growth into senior planning purchasing or supply chain leadership roles.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE

At Slate were 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