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Rocket Lab is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Finance to lead financial operations and strategy for the company's manufacturing function. Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, this strategic leadership role reports directly to the Vice President of Finance and serves as a key business partner to the Chief Operations Officer and manufacturing leadership team.
In this position, you will drive financial performance, operational efficiency, and cost optimization across production facilities and supply chain operations. Your responsibilities include serving as the primary financial advisor to the COO on cost management, capital investments, and operational efficiencies. You will develop and implement financial strategies aligned with manufacturing goals and overall business objectives, and lead financial planning and forecasting processes for manufacturing operations.
You will oversee detailed financial analyses including cost variance analysis, production efficiency metrics, and profitability assessments. You'll lead program accounting efforts, monitor key performance indicators related to manufacturing costs, inventory management, and supply chain performance, and present financial insights to senior executives and stakeholders.
A major focus will be driving cost reduction initiatives across manufacturing operations—labor, materials, overhead, and supply chain expenses. You'll collaborate with operations teams to identify process improvements and waste reduction opportunities, and ensure accurate product costing to support profitability goals.
You will also evaluate and prioritize capital investment opportunities in manufacturing facilities and equipment, lead financial due diligence for new projects, and monitor capital expenditures to ensure budget adherence. Partnership with plant managers and supply chain leaders will be essential to improve operational performance and financial outcomes.
Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, plus 15+ years of progressive finance experience with focus on manufacturing or supply chain operations. You must have a proven track record of driving cost optimization initiatives, experience managing large-scale budgets and capital projects, and ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing facilities. An MBA or CPA is preferred.
