Overview
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable ambitious space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and technology demonstrations.
Our Electron rockets have become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and have delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Space Systems designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with program goals for cost, quality, and delivery.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, from initial RFIs to contract execution and beyond.
- Lead supplier negotiations on a first principles basis to secure best-in-class terms, including cost, quality, and delivery performance.
- Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance through metrics, scorecards, and regular reviews.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure supplier capabilities meet program requirements, from prototyping to full-scale production.
- Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring resilience and reliability.
- Engage with Legal/Contracts to establish the right contractual framework to support programs and commodity strategy.
- Identify cost savings/avoidance opportunities, execute cost reduction strategies, and maintain cost models and should-cost analysis up to date to deliver on competitiveness targets.
- Conduct market research and stay ahead of industry trends to inform strategic decisions.
- Act as the go-to procurement expert, solving challenges and driving results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
You'll Bring These Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing or supplier management.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience (12+ years of total work experience).
These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have
- Experience in aerospace, automotive or other disruptive manufacturing industries
- Experience in rapid growth environments with constantly shifting priorities or deliverables
- Strong ability to read and interpret drawings, understanding of design for manufacturing
- Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across all functions and levels
- Highly self-motivated, able to learn quickly and maintain the highest levels of quality and integrity
- Team oriented, strong ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment toward multiple deadlines
- APICS certification
- Experience with AS9100, Export controls
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of time