About the Role
Slate Auto is on a mission to build an affordable, capable truck for everyday Americans. The Cost Reduction Program Manager is a critical role in making that mission a reality. This position is responsible for leading the cost reduction workstream end to end, converting the pipeline into signed, supplier-validated, governance-tracked commitments, and coordinating the cross-functional team to execute batch implementation of cost reduction items prior to Job 2 and through the Job 2 launch.
What You Will Own
Cost Reduction Workstream Leadership
The Cost Reduction Program Manager is responsible for the cost reduction operating cadence: governance meetings, a supplier-by-supplier commitment register, accountability per targeted component, and launch-risk flags on every open item. This role is responsible for maintaining clear separation between bookable SOP savings and pipeline items in all leadership materials, and for driving the workstream from identification through feasibility, supplier confirmation, and commercial close.
Batch Implementation Coordination
Responsible for leading the planning and execution of batch cost reduction implementations ahead of Job 2 and within the Job 2 program. This role drives cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Purchasing, Cost Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing to sequence change actions in a way that minimizes disruption to production, consolidates supplier change events, and maximizes the number of items implemented cleanly at defined production milestones. Responsible for the implementation tracker and ensuring every item has a confirmed timing commitment against a production build event.
Job 2 Program Management
Responsible for leading the Job 2 workstream through planning, execution, and launch across the primary cost-down programs. This role drives program timing, supplier feasibility and quote confirmation, and validation and re-certification sequencing, and ensures Job 2 exits with a clean, fully implemented BOM.
Cross-functional Coordination
This role partners directly with the Chief Engineer to align on priorities, sequence change actions, and drive implementation decisions across the program. Working alongside the Chief Engineer, this role is responsible for aligning Purchasing, Cost Engineering, FP&A, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality around a shared implementation plan and holding each function accountable to their commitments. Responsible for surfacing cost and timing conflicts early, escalating where needed, and ensuring cost reduction does not become a source of launch risk. This role represents cost reduction status in Ops/Business Reviews and Industrialization Governance.
What You Bring
Experience managing engineering change and cost-down programs in an automotive or EV launch environment. You understand how to move items from engineering estimate to supplier commitment to production implementation, and you know how to coordinate a cross-functional team around a shared plan when everyone has competing priorities.
Comfort with BOM-level cost structures, change management governance, and supplier commercial negotiations. You communicate clearly with executive leadership and hold owners accountable without losing the relationship. You operate effectively at a startup pace with incomplete data and moving targets.
Qualifications and Requirements
Minimum of five years of program or project management experience in automotive, EV, or adjacent manufacturing environments, with direct involvement in cost reduction, VAVE, or engineering change programs.
Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional workstreams across engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and finance simultaneously, with clear ownership and accountability structures.
Experience with supplier commercial negotiations, should-cost analysis, and BOM-level cost tracking. Familiarity with change management governance processes including CR/CN workflows, tooling lead times, and supplier delivery commitments.
Strong communication and facilitation skills. Ability to synthesize complex program status into clear leadership-facing materials and drive alignment across functions with competing priorities.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment where processes are still being built. Willingness to own the workstream end to end, not just coordinate it.
Experience with aPriori, Project X, or similar cost engineering tools is a plus. PMP or equivalent program management certification is a plus but not required.
Why This Role Matters Now
At Slate, affordability is not a constraint. It is the mission. Delivering a truck at a price that is accessible to everyday Americans requires relentless focus on cost at every stage of the program. The Cost Reduction Program Manager is central to that effort, ensuring the savings identified across the program are validated, committed, and implemented. This role is an opportunity to have a direct and lasting impact on what Slate can offer its customers and on the long-term success of the company.
