Senior Manager, Yard Operations

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 Sr. Manager, FVY Operations is the operationally responsible leader for Slate's Finished Vehicle Yard (FVY) - the critical interface between manufacturing and commercial vehicle delivery. Every vehicle's custody, location accuracy, condition, and security from the moment it is released from factory through final Finished Vehicle carrier handoff sits with this role.

The Sr. Manager directly manages the FVY Operations team across three crews (A, B, and C), and holds dotted-line coordination responsibility with the Quality & Inspection function (reporting into Manufacturing Quality) and the Repair Operations function (reporting into GA Manufacturing). In coordination with Slate Security, the Sr. Manager also owns the physical security of the yard - access control, surveillance, and incident response for a site holding several thousand finished, vehicles - including the specific safety protocols unique to a battery-electric vehicle storage yard.

The role is the primary operational point of contact for Slate Sales and its carrier partners and owns the full vehicle handoff process - scheduling, release authorization, staging, pre-release inspection, gate operations, and handoff confirmation - at a sustained high throughput. In total, the Sr. Manager's operational scope spans managing a large operations team over 3 crews, plus the coordinated Quality and Repair functions embedded in the yard.

This is a founding leadership role for the Slate Finished Vehicle Yard (FVY) - you will build the operation from the ground up, define the standards, and put your mark on one of the most visible functions in Slate's launch.

| ​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.

| ​WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

FVY Operations Leadership (Direct)

• Direct the full Finished Vehicle Yard operation across all three crews and both shifts, ensuring uninterrupted vehicle flow.

• Own physical and systematic receipt of all vehicles released by Manufacturing into the finished vehicle yard - VIN scanning, condition check-in, and slot assignment at scale.

• Drive lot management discipline: optimal slot assignment, accurate location tracking against the WMS/ERP system of record, and 100% inventory integrity, including a documented cycle count of every yard zone each shift.

• Lead outbound logistics coordination with Slate Sales carrier partners, scheduling appointments and ensuring shipping throughput is met.
• Own EV-specific yard operating standards: state-of-charge management within the storage SoC band, charging-row operations, 12-volt battery maintenance, and bringing outbound vehicles to release-order charge levels.

Vehicle Release & Carrier Handoff

• Own the end-to-end handoff process from scheduling through departure: appointment booking, release authorization and documentation (release order, VIN manifest, bill of lading), and gate verification against the appointment.

• Ensure every vehicle passes a mandatory pre-release inspection and signed condition report before loading, and hold authority.

• Oversee gate and loading operations, keeping carrier traffic separated from production and general yard traffic and loaded in appointment order.

• Confirm handoff and post the systematic release for every pickup, issuing the signed bill of lading, condition report, and updated VIN status to Sales the same shift.

• Manage exceptions - short-ships, carrier no-shows, condition disputes, and manifest discrepancies and own escalation whenever the yard or a vehicle is not carrier-ready.

Yard Security & EV Safety

• Own physical security of the FVY in partnership with Slate Security: perimeter protection, gate access control, badge and visitor management, and video surveillance coverage.

• Maintain key and fob control through the electronic key control cabinet, including same-shift resolution of any fob not returned at shift end.

• Lead EV protection and emergency response readiness: quarantine protocols for non conforming vehicles, coordination with qualified technicians, and the site pre-incident plan with the EHS & Slate Security.

• Enforce yard traffic and personnel safety standards (speed limits, high-visibility apparel, aisle stop bars) and suspend outdoor vehicle movement during severe weather.

• Own incident reporting and escalation for theft, damage, injury, near-miss, and thermal events - logging outcomes against the VIN and escalating through the FVY Operations Manager to the Sr. Manager and Head of Production Control.

People & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and performance-manage the FVY Operations Manager and, through that role, the Crew A, B, and C Shift Leads and all frontline teams.

• Build a high-accountability shift culture across all three crews, with consistent standards, clear escalation paths, and proactive communication at shift transitions and crew handoffs.

• Partner with HR to manage staffing, onboarding, training, and performance across a direct FVY team of approximately 58–67 FTE across three crews.

• Champion safety as a non-negotiable - ensure full compliance with EHS standards, conduct regular safety walks, and drive a proactive near-miss reporting culture.

Quality & Inspection Coordination

• Ensure mandatory final vehicle inspections are completed by the Quality team before every carrier handoff - no vehicle is released without a Quality pass.

• Work in close coordination with Manufacturing Quality, including Final Vehicle Inspectors and a QA Documentation Specialist) on pre-carrier inspection standards, disposition criteria, and audit readiness.

• Establish and monitor key quality metrics: first-pass inspection rate, defect frequency by category, and re-inspection cycle time.

• Partner with Manufacturing Quality to close feedback loops on recurring defect patterns identified in the FVY, ensuring yard findings inform upstream manufacturing process improvement.

In-Yard Repair Coordination (Dotted Line - Reports to GA Manufacturing)

• Oversee the in-yard repair organization - Repair Triage, Body & Cosmetic, Mechanical & Electrical, to ensure defective vehicles are repaired, re-inspected, and returned to active inventory without impacting carrier schedules.

• Work in close coordination with the General Assembly (GA) team on in-yard repair execution - aligning on repair scope, parts availability, technician support, and root-cause disposition.

• Establish repair prioritization by ship date, capacity planning by repair type, and clear SLAs for repair cycle time.

• Maintain disposition records (root cause, labor, classification) against each VIN to support warranty claims and the manufacturing feedback loop.

Infrastructure, Equipment & Capital Planning

• Provide operational input into yard sizing, pavement, lighting, and fixed-facility planning (guard shacks, inspection lanes, repair bays, EV quarantine area) to support current and projected throughput.

• Develop, procure and commission, in partner with manufacturing, material handling engineering and Procurement on EV charging infrastructure and yard mobile/handling equipment - charging stalls, recovery equipment, scanners, and shuttle/cart fleets - sized to crew and volume needs.

• Support capital planning and new-versus-refurbished equipment decisions for yard equipment, balancing cost against safety, warranty, and operational risk.

Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Own FVY operational reporting: daily throughput, lot capacity, carrier fulfillment rate, inspection pass rate, and repair queue health.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives targeting receiving efficiency, storage utilization, outbound throughput, and repair cycle reduction.

• Partner with IT/Systems teams to ensure WMS/ERP data integrity across all vehicle transactions and system-to-system release events in the FVY.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all FVY functions; ensure all three crews operate to the same standard.

| WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

• 12+ years of progressive operations or logistics management experience, with at least 5 years leading multi-shift manufacturing, distribution, or vehicle logistics operations.

• Demonstrated experience managing large hourly workforces (90+ team members inclusive of coordinated functions) across multiple shifts in a high-throughput environment.

• Strong working knowledge of vehicle lot operations finished goods logistics, or automotive manufacturing support functions.

• Experience managing third-party carrier or logistics relationships with accountability for scheduling adherence and fulfillment performance.

• Proven track record in safety leadership and EHS compliance within a manufacturing or automotive environment, including physical security program oversight (access control, surveillance, incident response).

• Proficiency with WMS, ERP, or inventory management systems (SAP or equivalent).

• Strong data literacy - able to build, interpret, and act on operational dashboards and KPI reports.

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent work experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in finished vehicle logistics, automotive OEM yard operations, or vehicle remarketing / auction operations.

• Familiarity with vehicle carriers and remarketing platforms used by automotive sales partners.

• Experience with battery-electric vehicle operations - charging infrastructure, state-of-charge management, or high-voltage safety programs (NFPA 70E).

• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).

• Experience standing up a new operation or leading a facility launch.

• Exposure to EV or new-model launch environments.

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

View email address on aiapply.co.