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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Global Supply Manager II to lead sourcing and supplier management for its rocket and satellite programs. Based at the Long Beach headquarters, you will develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with program goals for cost, quality, and delivery. You'll build and maintain strong supplier relationships from RFI through contract execution and ongoing performance management.
Key responsibilities include leading supplier negotiations on a first-principles basis to secure best-in-class terms, driving continuous improvement through metrics and scorecards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality) to ensure supplier capabilities meet program requirements across prototyping and full-scale production. You will identify and mitigate supply chain risks, engage with Legal/Contracts on contractual frameworks, and identify cost savings and avoidance opportunities through cost reduction strategies and should-cost analysis.
Additional duties include conducting market research to stay ahead of industry trends, acting as the go-to procurement expert in a fast-paced environment, and supporting both the Electron and Neutron rocket programs as well as Space Systems initiatives.
Required qualifications: 8+ years in procurement, sourcing, or supplier management; Bachelor's degree or equivalent (12+ years total work experience); U.S. citizenship due to program requirements. Preferred experience includes aerospace, automotive, or disruptive manufacturing; rapid-growth environments; ability to read and interpret drawings and understand design for manufacturing; APICS certification; AS9100 and export controls knowledge; and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.
