Group Leader, Incoming Quality

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

17h

About The Position

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 The Incoming Quality Engineer – Group Leader is responsible for leading all incoming quality activities across Slate manufacturing in Warsaw Indiana. This role owns supplier incoming quality, inspection processes, containment, and continuous improvement, while also leading and developing a team of quality technicians. The position interfaces with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to ensure incoming materials meet requirements and support safe, efficient production launches and sustained operations. | WHAT YOU GET TO DO Lead and manage incoming quality inspection activities for all supplied components and materials across Slate manufacturing. Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quality technicians and team leaders, ensuring consistent execution of incoming quality standards. Develop, implement, and maintain incoming inspection procedures, control plans, and acceptance criteria. Serve as the primary incoming quality interface to all manufacturing areas, supporting production, launches, and daily operations. Collaborate with suppliers to define quality expectations, ensure compliance to specifications, and drive corrective actions. Analyze incoming quality data, identify trends, and lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions. Own containment of nonconforming incoming material, including segregation, documentation, supplier communication, and disposition (rework, return, scrap). Support new product and process launches by validating incoming parts, PPAP readiness, and production release. Coordinate and support incoming and process audits to applicable standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, internal requirements). Maintain quality documentation including inspection records, supplier quality reports, and control plans. Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve robustness. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on incoming quality, process capability, cost, and risk reduction. Provide technical guidance, training, and hands-on support to quality technicians and manufacturing teams. Ensure a safe, compliant work environment aligned with health and safety requirements. Perform additional duties as assigned in support of incoming and manufacturing quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field; equivalent technical experience may be considered.
5+ years of experience in incoming, supplier, or manufacturing quality within an automotive or regulated manufacturing environment.
Proven experience leading teams or acting in a group leader / supervisory capacity.
Strong knowledge of incoming inspection, supplier quality management, and containment processes.
Experience with automotive quality tools and standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC).
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface across manufacturing, engineering, and suppliers.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up or launch environment.
High integrity, ownership mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Experience with electric vehicle components or high-voltage systems.
Six Sigma, ASQ, or other quality certifications.
Experience supporting multi-site or cross-functional manufacturing operations.
Background in supplier development or launch readiness.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage incoming quality inspection activities for all supplied components and materials across Slate manufacturing.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quality technicians and team leaders, ensuring consistent execution of incoming quality standards.
Develop, implement, and maintain incoming inspection procedures, control plans, and acceptance criteria.
Serve as the primary incoming quality interface to all manufacturing areas, supporting production, launches, and daily operations.
Collaborate with suppliers to define quality expectations, ensure compliance to specifications, and drive corrective actions.
Analyze incoming quality data, identify trends, and lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
Own containment of nonconforming incoming material, including segregation, documentation, supplier communication, and disposition (rework, return, scrap).
Support new product and process launches by validating incoming parts, PPAP readiness, and production release.
Coordinate and support incoming and process audits to applicable standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, internal requirements).
Maintain quality documentation including inspection records, supplier quality reports, and control plans.
Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve robustness.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on incoming quality, process capability, cost, and risk reduction.
Provide technical guidance, training, and hands-on support to quality technicians and manufacturing teams.
Ensure a safe, compliant work environment aligned with health and safety requirements.
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of incoming and manufacturing quality.