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Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Supply Chain team manages the flow of all materials, products, and components through the business, directly impacting the success of rocket and satellite programs.
As a Senior Buyer II based onsite at Rocket Lab's Auckland facility, you will be responsible for placing all purchase orders and securing supply of thousands of parts used to build launch vehicles and satellite systems. You will support engineering R&D through production ramp, making daily decisions that ensure the company meets cost, quality, and delivery goals.
Key responsibilities include:
- Sourcing materials by evaluating vendor capability, price, delivery needs, and performance
- Ensuring on-time delivery of materials to Rocket Lab
- Owning business relationships with assigned suppliers
- Managing the RFQ process to secure competitive bids and achieve best pricing
- Integrating tightly with Engineering teams to meet procurement requirements and serve as primary point of contact for R&D order status
- Providing status updates to material planners on purchase orders and expected delivery dates
- Negotiating terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements
- Maintaining purchase order data within the ERP system
You will bring 8+ years of procurement experience and a bachelor's degree (or 12+ years equivalent work experience). Required qualifications include proven ability to source, onboard, and negotiate pricing with suppliers; strong knowledge of purchasing processes; and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.
Nice-to-have qualifications include proficiency in MRP systems, prior experience in aerospace/automotive/disruptive manufacturing, experience in rapid growth environments, ability to read engineering drawings, familiarity with AS9100 and US export controls, and strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and multitasking skills in fast-paced environments.
