Manager, Production Control Operations

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

17d

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 As the Manager of Production Control Operations, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Shift material management activities at Warsaw Plant. In this leadership role, you will ensure the efficient and accurate handling of materials within the facility, including the timely delivery of raw materials and components to the production line, coordination of finished vehicle deliveries to the factory yard, and management of service part builds and shipments. Your efforts will directly support plant management in achieving production targets while optimizing cost efficiency and maintaining high standards of quality. You will collaborate closely with teams focused on material planning and scheduling, material flow, material handling, and packaging engineering to guarantee that all factory material processes and equipment operate seamlessly. Additionally, you will lead continuous improvement (kaizen) initiatives to enhance the reliability and efficiency of factory material flow, scheduling, and inventory systems. This role demands a hands-on approach in a fast-paced environment and is critical to both the launch and ongoing success of high-volume, high-quality vehicle production. This position reports directly to the Head of Production Control.

Requirements

12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience( degrees in supply chain, Industrial Engineering preferred)
Experience in automotive operations, manufacturing and material or supply planning, with a focus on production control and operations.
Strong understanding of WMS/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, FUUZ, etc.), including Kanban and MES
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive daily execution in a startup or launch environment
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
Experience with lean manufacturing, JIT, and kanban systems
Fast-paced startup environment with hands-on leadership required
Mix of office, shop floor, and supplier engagement
May require travel to suppliers, launch sites, or logistics hubs

Responsibilities

Direct the shift operations of material management & operations at factory, including oversight of scheduling, inventory management, kitting, lineside delivery, and service parts management to ensure seamless workflow and timely fulfillment of production requirements.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of automotive Material Operations, Third-Party Logistics (3PL), and service part management, fostering a collaborative and accountable environment.
Ensure strict adherence to safety, quality, and environmental regulations across all material handling and logistics processes.
Collaborate with material planning and material handling engineering teams to validate that new processes, equipment, and facility layouts support operational excellence and maximize throughput.
Review, synchronize, and provide actionable feedback to material and production planning teams, ensuring that production schedules align with material availability, supplier readiness, and build requirements.
Coordinate closely with logistics, engineering, and production departments to align material strategies with build requirements and takt time objectives.
Proactively monitor and resolve material shortages, delivery delays, and inventory discrepancies in real time to prevent production disruptions.
Facilitate daily tier meetings and escalation routines to maintain build integrity, promptly addressing and resolving operational challenges.
Support incoming inspection activities, ensure Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy, and oversee the implementation of engineering changes.
Partner with material planning and IT teams to maintain WMS system accuracy and ensure seamless data exchange with warehouse and shop-floor control systems.
Track, analyze, and optimize key performance indicators (KPIs), including inventory accuracy, material availability rate, schedule adherence, inventory turnover, dock-to-stock time, line stoppages due to shortages, cycle-count accuracy, material handling efficiency, and scrap or obsolescence rate.
Drive ongoing improvements in material flow, cycle counting practices, and system integration to enhance reliability and efficiency.
Lead 5S and material kaizen initiatives to enhance flow, reliability, and cost-effectiveness throughout the factory via cross-functional collaboration, data-driven analysis, and frontline feedback, supporting lasting productivity, cost reduction, and quality improvements.