CI-Q Excellence Group Leader

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.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

We need a highly skilled and motivated Plant CI‑Q Excellence Group Leader to join our Quality team in our automotive plant. In this role, you will implement and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) and Process Management Tools (PMT) to achieve the highest standards of product quality and operational excellence. You will lead our quality excellence mindset initiative and support or lead the implementation and business maintenance of the quality systems (QMS and QOS) and related tools for Slate.

• Lead a team of experts in Q‑Excellence, QMS, QOS, and PMT for quality systems development, integration, and rollout.
• Oversee quality systems from startup through integration, validation, training, support, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate requirements, user feedback, and best practices for the QMS and QOS to meet stakeholder expectations.
• Collaborate with IT functional heads, other functional heads, and external vendors to keep the quality system reliable, secure, scalable, and compliant.
• Support supplier quality, manufacturing quality, and integration processes for the QMS/QOS to ensure consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Lead and audit ISO and IATF certification activities for Slate; assist with supplier audits as needed.
• Monitor and report on quality system performance, quality, and compliance, identifying and resolving issues or risks.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and training to quality system users to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Support data mining and analysis to improve data accuracy and management related to quality.
• Implement corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Respond to service requests regarding management systems, processes, methods, and tools, and provide training support.
• Lead special projects driving CI and excellence related to data collection and analysis.
• Define and lead the QOS and Q‑Excellence programs in collaboration with quality and cross‑functional teams.

• 8+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a Master’s degree, or 3 years with a PhD or equivalent experience.
• Good knowledge of quality systems, processes, methods, tools, and standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, etc.
• Proven experience in QMS and QOS systems integration, support, and validation.
• Experience integrating PLM, MES, and ERP systems (preferred).
• Excellent project management, problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional teamwork skills.
• Passion for quality, innovation, and sustainability with data‑driven decision making.
• VDA, ISO, or IATF auditor experience required (certification preferred).
• Highest level of integrity and a positive, growth‑oriented mindset.

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, or life experiences. 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, please contact us at slate-o.