Senior Global Supply Manager II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Rocket Labs Supply Chain teamis responsible forthe flow of all materials products and componentsthroughthe business. With many of our own products functioning as critical components to our own and our customers missions the Supply Chain team has a direct impact on the success of our rocket and satellite programs. They set up the assembly kits thatenablesour technicians to put together our Electron rockets manage inventory look after shipping and receiving manage direct and indirect procurement and inspect and ensure thatall ofour materials and products are compliant and up to standard. They are the chain that links our teamstogether andare critical to our success.

SENIOR GLOBAL SUPPLY MANAGER II

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena CA the Senior Global Supply Manager II will play a pivotal role in ensuring supplier performance and material readiness for Rocket Lab Robotics programs. You will lead supplier relationships after RFQ and vendor selection manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering into procurement execution maintain PO schedules with vendors and drive accurate expected delivery dates to support reliable build planning.

This role combines strategic sourcing supplier management schedule execution contractual flow-downs and hands-on vendor follow-up. You will work across manufacturing engineering quality production planning programs and finance to ensure vendors understand technical quality contractual and delivery requirements and that Rocket Lab Robotics has clear visibility into cost delivery and supplier risk.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Develop and execute sourcing and supplier management strategies aligned with program goals for cost quality delivery schedule reliability and technical performance.
• Manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering after RFQ vendor evaluation and vendor selection ensuring POs supplier expectations technical data packages quality requirements and delivery commitments are clearly established.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships from initial RFIs and RFQs through contract execution PO management production support and delivery closure.
• Maintain purchase order schedules with vendors actively track delivery commitments and push vendors for recovery plans when deliveries documentation or commitments are late or at risk.
• Manage and update expected delivery dates supplier commitments and material readiness status to support accurate build planning production schedules and program decision-making.
• Conduct vendor site visits to assess supplier capability production readiness schedule risk quality performance capacity and corrective action progress.
• Develop and maintain vendor scoring supplier scorecards and regular performance reviews covering delivery quality responsiveness cost risk and overall execution.
• Lead supplier negotiations on a first-principles basis to secure competitive terms including cost quality schedule lead time delivery performance and contractual commitments.
• Ensure appropriate contractual flow-downs are communicated incorporated and tracked with vendors including quality compliance configuration documentation export control delivery and customer or program-specific requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering quality programs production planning and finance to resolve supplier issues expedite material disposition non-conformances and reduce program risk.
• Identify and mitigate supplier and supply chain risks including long-lead material capacity constraints single-source exposure quality escapes late deliveries and incomplete contractual or technical requirements.
• Engage with Legal Contracts Quality and Supply Chain leadership to establish the right contractual and commercial framework to support Rocket Lab Robotics programs and commodity strategies.
• Identify cost savings and cost-avoidance opportunities execute cost-reduction strategies and maintain supplier cost models and should-cost analysis where appropriate.
• Act as a go-to procurement and supplier management expert solving supplier execution challenges and driving results in a fast-paced development and production environment.

• 8 years of experience in procurement sourcing supplier management supply chain management or vendor program management.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent years of work experience (12 years of total work experience).
• Experience managing supplier delivery performance purchase order schedules supplier commitments and schedule recovery actions.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams such as manufacturing engineering quality production planning programs finance legal and contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with vendors escalate risks drive closure on open issues and maintain accurate schedule and delivery information for internal planning.
• Experience reviewing or coordinating technical data packages drawings specifications purchase orders statements of work or contractual flow-down requirements.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites and work in vendor production environments labs or manufacturing areas as needed to support supplier assessments schedule recovery and program execution.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in aerospace robotics defense automotive medical device semiconductor equipment or other high-reliability manufacturing industries.
• Experience conducting supplier site visits vendor assessments supplier audits production readiness reviews or corrective action follow-up.
• Experience developing supplier scorecards vendor scoring models performance metrics and supplier business reviews.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings specifications bills of material and manufacturing requirements; understanding of design for manufacturability.
• Experience with AS9100 export controls contractual flow-downs quality clauses configuration control and supplier documentation requirements.
• Experience in a rapid-growth environment with shifting priorities prototype-to-production transitions and aggressive delivery schedules.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize effectively manage multiple open supplier actions and maintain accurate status across programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to collaborate effectively across all functions and all levels of the organization.
• Highly self-motivated able to learn quickly and committed to maintaining the highest levels of quality integrity and accountability.
• APICS CPSM or similar supply chain procurement or operations certification.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.