Sourcing Specialist II

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p>

<p>Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s 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.</p></div><p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>SUPPLY CHAIN</strong> </span></p>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;">Rocket Lab’s Supply Chain team orchestrates the seamless flow of materials, products, and components across the entire organization. As many of our products serve as mission-critical elements for both Rocket Lab and our customers, the Supply Chain team plays a pivotal role in the success of our rocket and satellite programs. From assembling kits that empower our technicians to build rockets, satellites, and space systems, to managing inventory, procurement, shipping, and receiving, the team ensures operational excellence at every stage. They also oversee rigorous inspection processes to guarantee that all materials and products meet our stringent quality and compliance standards. Serving as the vital link between departments, the Supply Chain team is essential to driving Rocket Lab’s mission and enabling our continued success. </span></p>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>SOURCING SPECIALIST II - RAW MATERIALS</strong> </span></p>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;">Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Sourcing Specialist plays a critical role in shaping the supply chain strategy that powers our mission to redefine space access. As a key member of the procurement team, you will be responsible for sourcing and securing the raw materials essential to the development and production of our launch vehicles, satellite systems, and advanced aerospace components. Your decisions will directly impact Rocket Lab’s ability to achieve its cost, quality, and delivery objectives, supporting both rapid R&D cycles and scalable production. This role will focus on all raw material procurement—including, but not limited to, metallics, composites, and powders—across all Rocket Lab programs. </span></p>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:</strong> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Develop and execute a comprehensive raw material sourcing strategy</strong> to support global operations, encompassing production, R&D, and testing requirements. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Lead end-to-end supplier engagement activities </strong>including RFIs, RFPs, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and onboarding, ensuring alignment with Rocket Lab’s strategic objectives. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Analyze spend, market dynamics, and supplier capabilities </strong>to identify opportunities for cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supply chain innovation—including the development of reuse and recycling processes. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) </strong>improvements through supplier consolidation, standardization, and the cultivation of strategic partnerships. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Own the sourcing </strong>process by rigorously evaluating vendor capabilities, pricing, delivery performance, and alignment with Rocket Lab’s quality standards. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ensure on-time delivery of critical materials</strong> to meet program schedules and production milestones. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Manage and strengthen supplier relationships, </strong>serving as the primary business interface for assigned vendors. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Lead the RFQ process </strong>to secure competitive bids and ensure best-value procurement for goods and services. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Collaborate closely with Engineering teams </strong>to anticipate and fulfill procurement requirements, acting as the primary point of contact for R&D order status and material needs. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Provide proactive updates to material planners </strong>regarding purchase order status and expected delivery timelines. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers </strong>to achieve optimal outcomes in quality, cost, and delivery. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Maintain accurate and up-to-date purchase order data </strong>within Rocket Lab’s ERP system, ensuring data integrity and operational transparency. </span></li>

</ul>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:</strong> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Management, or other relevant fields </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">2+ years of related experience as Buyer, Manufacturing Engineer, or equivalent </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Proven ability to source, onboard, and negotiate pricing with suppliers </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Proven knowledge of purchasing processes. </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of time </span></li>

</ul>

<p style="color: !important;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:</strong> </span></p>

<ul>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Proficient in MRP systems </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Prior experience in aerospace, automotive, or other disruptive manufacturing industries </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Prior experience in rapid growth environment </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Experience with AS9100, US export controls </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Excellent verbal and written communication abilities </span></li>

<li><span style="color: #000000;">Team oriented, strong ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment and to multiple deadlines</span></li>

</ul>

<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"><em>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.</em></span></span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, <strong>you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package</strong>, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.</p>

<p>Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.</p>

<p>Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.</p>

<p>Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.</p></div><div class="title">Base Pay Range (CA Only)</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$76,800</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$96,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT TO EXPECT</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>

<p><span data-contrast="auto">We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739