Slate Auto→
Buyer - Fasteners and Consumables at Slate Auto in Troy, MI
Job Description
Buyer - Fasteners and Consumables
Location: Troy, Michigan
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.
| WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Buyer – Fasteners and Consumables is responsible for the end-to-end procurement of industrial fasteners and MRO consumables, ensuring on-time delivery, competitive pricing, and supply continuity. This position partners closely with engineering, operations, finance, and maintenance to manage purchase orders, execute RFQ processes, administer supplier agreements, and drive spend analytics across the fastener and consumables categories.
| WHAT YOU GET TO DO
Fasteners & Consumables Procurement
Source, quote, and manage purchase orders for industrial fasteners including bolts, screws, nuts, washers, rivets, and specialty hardware to specification
Manage MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) consumables categories including cutting tools, adhesives, sealants, lubricants, abrasives, and PPE
Interpret engineering drawings and part specifications to ensure correct fastener grade, thread form, drive type, finish, and material (e.g., SAE, metric, stainless, zinc-plated)
Negotiate pricing and supply agreements with fastener distributors and VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) providers to reduce unit cost and ensure stock availability
Monitor consumption trends for high-velocity consumables and collaborate with production and maintenance teams to right-size inventory and reduce waste
Conduct spend analysis on fastener and consumable categories to identify consolidation opportunities and benchmark pricing against market standards
Support standardization initiatives by working with engineering to reduce fastener variety across platforms, driving economies of scale
Purchase Order Management
Issue, update, and manage purchase orders in accordance with approved requisitions and procurement policies
Monitor PO status, delivery schedules, and supplier acknowledgments to ensure on-time fulfillment for pre-production parts
Maintain accurate PO records and ensure proper documentation throughout the order lifecycle
Support change management tracking during design phases, coordinating PO updates and revisions as engineering changes occur
Manage PO updates for raw material adjustments per contracts with suppliers
Contract & Agreement Management
Administer NDA processes with suppliers and prospective vendors, coordinating with legal as required
Track NDA execution status and maintain an up-to-date repository of signed agreements
Ensure NDA coverage is in place prior to sharing proprietary specifications or pricing information
Support management and tracking of General Terms & Conditions (GTCs), Purchased Part Agreements (PPAs), and other supplier contracts
Monitor contract compliance and proactively flag agreements at risk of falling behind on key milestones or obligations
Assist in managing the contract lifecycle from initiation through execution, renewal, or close-out
RFQ Management
Prepare and distribute Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to qualified suppliers
Track and follow up on outstanding RFQ responses to ensure timely returns
Organize and summarize quote responses to support supplier selection and negotiation
Maintain RFQ log with status updates, due dates, and awarded outcomes
Spend Analysis, Reporting & Budget Management
Conduct spend analysis across categories, suppliers, and business units on a monthly basis
Develop and maintain purchasing dashboards and reports to support management decision-making
Identify cost reduction opportunities and savings trends through data analysis
Assist in preparing period-end procurement reports and KPI summaries
Partner with finance to serve as the team’s primary point of contact for budget tracking and cash flow management
Maintain visibility into team spend to help identify opportunities to offset cost impacts and plan for future savings
Data Analytics & Tools Collaboration
Partner with internal data analytics resources to leverage tools and dashboards that improve team efficiency and procurement visibility
Contribute to the development and adoption of analytical workflows that support faster, data-driven purchasing decisions
Share insights and reporting outputs across the team to build collective knowledge and process consistency
| WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred
2–4 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations; experience in fastener or MRO category management is a plus
Experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment strongly preferred
Skills & Competencies
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, pivot tables, and reporting
Intermediate + skills in using AI tools
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional and supplier interaction
Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy in data entry and documentation
Demonstrated knowledge of industrial fastener standards (SAE, metric, ASTM grades) and MRO consumable categories; experience with VMI programs and distributor management is a plus
SALARY RANGE
The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors.
Annual Base Pay Range: $67,000 - $84,000 USD
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.
WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.
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.