Full-Time

Plant IT Manager

Posted on 8/14/2025

Slate Auto

Slate Auto

501-1,000 employees

Produces low-cost modular electric pickup trucks

No salary listed

Columbia City, IN, USA

In Person

Relocation assistance will be provided.

Category
IT & Security (3)
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Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
  • 15+ years of experience in managing IT systems within a manufacturing environment, preferably in the automotive industry.
  • Proven experience in deploying Manufacturing Systems in a greenfield site in a startup environment and working with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing is a strong plus.
  • Experience with industrial cyber controls is required.
  • Proficiency in Manufacturing Systems and integration layers.
  • Proven ability to lead and manage a team of IT professionals.
  • Experience in leading multi-functional teams and driving organizational change.
  • Strong strategic planning and execution skills, with the ability to develop and implement long-term IT strategies.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with senior management.
Responsibilities
  • Manage and maintain all manufacturing at the plant including but not limited to MES, ERP, WMS, SCADA.
  • Implementation and Deployment of all manufacturing systems including the MES, ERP (manufacturing scope) and WMS for a start-up, greenfield site, ensuring effective implementation and integration with other plant and corporate systems. Define and manage support structures.
  • Oversee major projects including but not limited to network installation, computer room, security cameras in line with Infrastructure Lead and Security Lead. Define and manage support structures.
  • Oversee the MES system, ensuring its effective operation and integration with other plant systems, handle complex data and integration needs.
  • Lead a team of IT professionals, including Application support structure and Service Desk. Work across the Manufacturing organization to ensure consistent processes in line with centralized service desk and technical network support.
  • Develop and implement IT strategies to support manufacturing operations.
  • Work closely with Business IS support and other departments to ensure IT systems meet business needs and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Ensure seamless integration of IT systems across the plant, facilitating smooth data flow and operational processes.
  • Address and resolve IT-related issues promptly, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation of manufacturing systems.
  • Ensure all IT systems comply with industry standards and regulations.
  • Oversee the IT budget for the plant, ensuring cost-effective solutions and efficient resource allocation.
  • Manage relationships with IT vendors and service providers, ensuring high-quality service and support.
  • Provide training and development opportunities for the IT team to enhance their skills and knowledge.
  • Implement and manage industrial cyber controls to protect manufacturing systems from cyber threats and ensure the security of sensitive data.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL) are preferred.
  • Relevant cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), or CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) are desired.

Slate Auto designs and sells affordable, modular electric pickup trucks with a single base model that customers customize over time with removable accessories and upgrades. The core product, the Slate Truck, is a compact battery-powered pickup built around simplicity and low cost, with a base price targeted at $25,000–$28,000. The base model is intentionally stripped of features, allowing buyers to tailor the vehicle to work, personal use, or SUV conversions through modular add-ons. The company aims to simplify manufacturing, reduce upfront costs, and offer a “blank slate” vehicle that can evolve after purchase. Production is planned in the Midwest, with capacity up to 150,000 vehicles annually and first deliveries targeted for 2026. Slate Auto differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on cost reduction, a modular, customizable design, and a direct-to-consumer approach instead of competing on premium features or performance.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Series C

Total Funding

$1.4B

Headquarters

Troy, Michigan

Founded

2022

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $650 million Series C funding enables Warsaw factory production ramp through late 2026.
  • 160,000 reservations demonstrate strong demand for affordable, customizable electric truck segment.
  • RepairPal network of 4,000 shops and Tesla Supercharger access support ownership experience.

What critics are saying

  • Ford Maverick hybrid's 37 mpg and $25,995 price capture budget buyers rejecting EVs.
  • Warsaw factory delays mirror Fisker and Lordstown failures, burning $1.4 billion without deliveries.
  • 150-mile base range insufficient for utility buyers; DIY customization overwhelms non-technical owners.

What makes Slate Auto unique

  • Modular design converts two-seat pickup to five-seat SUV with 100+ customization kits.
  • Mid-$20,000 price undercuts Ford Maverick and all mainstream electric pickups significantly.
  • Minimalist 600-part architecture eliminates paint factory via tool-impregnated colors and wraps.

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Your Connections

People at Slate Auto who can refer or advise you

Benefits

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-3%

1 year growth

5%

2 year growth

19%
Dealroom.co
Apr 13th, 2026
Slate Auto company information, funding & investors

Slate Auto, . Here you'll find information about their funding, investors and team.

TechCrunch
Apr 13th, 2026
Slate Auto raises $650M to fund its affordable EV truck plans | TechCrunch

Slate Auto's latest funding round was led by existing investor TWG Global, a firm run by LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

Investing.com
Apr 13th, 2026
Slate Auto raises $650M for mid-$20K electric pickup truck launch

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has raised $650 million in Series C funding led by TWG Global to develop an affordable electric pickup truck targeting a mid-$20,000 price point. The company aims to begin US deliveries by year-end. The Troy, Michigan-based startup plans a stripped-down, two-seater pickup with 150 or 240 miles of range. Over 160,000 people have placed $50 refundable deposits. Online orders will open in June, when exact pricing will be announced. Slate is investing $400 million to convert an idled Indiana printing plant for vehicle production. In March, the company appointed Peter Faricy, an Amazon veteran and former SunPower CEO, as chief executive. Other investors include General Catalyst Partners and Slauson & Co.

Yahoo Autos
Mar 26th, 2026
Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto plans national customization hub.

Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto plans national customization hub. Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal Thu, March 26, 2026 at 1:53 PM PDT A new auto manufacturer is setting up shop in Louisville, Kentucky. Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos-backed electric vehicle startup, plans to put its roughly $7.8 million vinyl wrap kit manufacturing fulfillment facility in the Bluegrass State's Jefferson County. The auto startup will produce low cost, modular, fully customizable EV two-door, two-passenger pickup trucks with hopes to start producing and selling the vehicles in 2026. The vehicles made by Slate Auto at its Warsaw, Indiana plant are expected to be priced in the mid-$20,000 range, Will Nicholas, head of business development and government affairs at Slate Auto, said during the March 26 meeting of the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. Since announcing the vehicle's launch just over a year ago, Nicholas said the company has received more than 160,000 reservations for the EV from across the country. The vehicles are built completely "stripped of everything that isn't an essential so customers can decide how they'd like to customize with accessories and personalization," a state official said during the KEDFA meeting. The vehicles are so customizable that Nicholas said the truck can even be crafted into a five passenger SUV. The vinyl wrapping facility in Louisville will be "central" to Slate Auto's "customization ecosystem," officials said and serve as the automakers sole national production center for its vinyl wrap kit program. At this facility, rather than painting vehicles in a factory like most automakers do, Slate Auto will wrap its vehicles in the custom colors and finishes chosen by the customer. The company offers more than 100 colors and finishes from which customers can choose. The project, out of the Troy, Michigan-headquartered company, was approved by KEDFA for $1 million in state tax incentives over the course of the 10-year agreement. Additionally, state officials said Louisville Metro Government is also helping to support the project. Slate Auto is expected to create 51 jobs with an hourly wage target of $39.09 and a minimum wage requirement of $10.88 for the base hourly wage and $12.51 for the total hourly compensation. Contact Business Reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected] or on X at @oliviamevans_.

TechCrunch
Mar 9th, 2026
Bezos-backed Slate Auto swaps CEO months before $20K electric truck launch

Slate Auto has appointed Peter Faricy, former Amazon Marketplace vice president, as its new CEO, replacing Christine Barman just months before the launch of its affordable electric truck. Faricy, who recently advised at McKinsey and Bessemer Venture Partners, started on Monday. Barman, a longtime Chrysler veteran and Slate's first hire, has moved to President of Vehicles, where she will oversee delivering the truck on time and on budget. She had been one of only two women CEOs running a US automaker. The company, which has raised approximately $700 million from Jeff Bezos and other backers, is preparing to convert its 160,000-strong preorder list into vehicle orders. Slate plans to reveal pricing for its electric truck in June, targeting the mid-$20,000 range after losing federal EV tax credits.

INACTIVE