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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 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.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Rocket Lab’s Supply Chain team is responsible for the flow of all materials, products, and components through the 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 that enables our technicians to put together our Electron rockets, manage inventory, look after shipping and receiving, manage direct and indirect procurement, and inspect and ensure that all of our materials and products are compliant and up to standard. They are the chain that links our teams together, and are 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 YOU'LL 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.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supplier management, supply chain management, or vendor program management.

• Bachelor's 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.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , 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.

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.

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.

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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)
$124,500 — $186,750 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

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.

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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.

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Requirements found

Supply Chain (must) Inventory Scheduling (must) Negotiation Compliance (must) Marketing Training Recruiting

What this posting asks for

Level: Manager — The title says "Manager".

Main responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing and supplier management strategies aligned with program goals for cost, quality, delivery, schedule reliability, and technical p…
Manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering after RFQ, vendor evaluation, and vendor selection, ensuring POs, supplier expectations, technical data pac…
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 c…
Manage and update expected delivery dates, supplier commitments, and material readiness status to support accurate build planning, production schedules, and …
Develop and maintain vendor scoring, supplier scorecards, and regular performance reviews covering delivery, quality, responsiveness, cost, risk, and overall…
Lead supplier negotiations on a first-principles basis to secure competitive terms, including cost, quality, schedule, lead time, delivery performance, and c…
Ensure appropriate contractual flow-downs are communicated, incorporated, and tracked with vendors, including quality, compliance, configuration, documentati…
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, quality, programs, production planning, and finance to resolve supplier issues, expedite material, disposition no…

Competencies an interviewer will look for

Technical skill Core
In the posting: “You will lead supplier relationships after RFQ and vendor selection, manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering into procurement execution, maintain P…” · “You will work across manufacturing engineering, quality, production planning, programs, and finance to ensure vendors understand technical, quality, contract…” · “Manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering after RFQ, vendor evaluation, and vendor selection, ensuring POs, supplier expectations, technical data pac…”
Show it by: Names the tools, languages or systems used and how; Explains a technical choice and its trade-off.
Problem solving Core
In the posting: “Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, quality, programs, production planning, and finance to resolve supplier issues, expedite material, disposition no…” · “Act as a go-to procurement and supplier management expert, solving supplier execution challenges and driving results in a fast-paced development and producti…” · “Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple open supplier actions, and maintain accura…”
Show it by: Describes a real problem, the options considered and the one chosen; Shows how the cause was found, not just the fix.
Communication Core
In the posting: “Maintain purchase order schedules with vendors, actively track delivery commitments, and push vendors for recovery plans when deliveries, documentation, or c…” · “Ensure appropriate contractual flow-downs are communicated, incorporated, and tracked with vendors, including quality, compliance, configuration, documentati…” · “Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with vendors, escalate risks, drive closure on open issues, and maintain accurate schedule and delivery informati…”
Show it by: Adapts the message to the listener; Gives an example of explaining something clearly in writing or speech.
Teamwork and collaboration Core
In the posting: “Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, quality, programs, production planning, and finance to resolve supplier issues, expedite material, disposition no…” · “Experience working with cross-functional teams such as manufacturing engineering, quality, production planning, programs, finance, legal, and contracts.” · “Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively across all functions and all levels of the organization.”
Show it by: Says what they did inside a team, not only what 'we' did; Shows how a disagreement was handled.
Ownership and accountability Core
In the posting: “Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s …” · “Highly self-motivated, able to learn quickly, and committed to maintaining the highest levels of quality, integrity, and accountability.” · “As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.”
Show it by: Takes a task from start to finish without being chased; Owns a mistake and what was changed after it.
Planning and organisation Core
In the posting: “You will lead supplier relationships after RFQ and vendor selection, manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering into procurement execution, maintain P…” · “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, contract…”
Show it by: Shows how priorities were set when everything was urgent; Mentions deadlines met and how.
Data and analysis Core
In the posting: “Manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering after RFQ, vendor evaluation, and vendor selection, ensuring POs, supplier expectations, technical data pac…” · “Identify cost savings and cost-avoidance opportunities, execute cost-reduction strategies, and maintain supplier cost models and should-cost analysis where a…” · “Experience reviewing or coordinating technical data packages, drawings, specifications, purchase orders, statements of work, or contractual flow-down require…”
Show it by: Uses a number to describe the situation or the result; Explains what the data showed and what was done with it.
Attention to detail and quality Core
In the posting: “They set up the assembly kits that enables our technicians to put together our Electron rockets, manage inventory, look after shipping and receiving, manage …” · “You will lead supplier relationships after RFQ and vendor selection, manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering into procurement execution, maintain P…” · “You will work across manufacturing engineering, quality, production planning, programs, and finance to ensure vendors understand technical, quality, contract…”
Show it by: Gives an example of an error caught before it caused harm; Names the check or standard they used.
Stakeholder management Core
In the posting: “You will lead supplier relationships after RFQ and vendor selection, manage the handoff from manufacturing engineering into procurement execution, maintain P…” · “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, contract…”
Show it by: Shows how they aligned people with different goals; Explains how they handled a 'no' from someone senior.
Customer focus Core
In the posting: “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 suc…” · “Ensure appropriate contractual flow-downs are communicated, incorporated, and tracked with vendors, including quality, compliance, configuration, documentati…”
Show it by: Puts the customer's need in their own words; Shows a result for the customer, not only for the company.
Adaptability and learning Core
In the posting: “Highly self-motivated, able to learn quickly, and committed to maintaining the highest levels of quality, integrity, and accountability.” · “Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical pla…”
Show it by: Describes learning something new quickly and using it; Shows a change of plan and how they adjusted.
Leadership and mentoring Supporting
In the posting: “Engage with Legal, Contracts, Quality, and Supply Chain leadership to establish the right contractual and commercial framework to support Rocket Lab Robotics…”
Show it by: Describes setting direction or a standard others followed; Names someone they coached and what changed for them.

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Walk me through a piece of work where you used your strongest technical skill. What exactly did you do? From this posting
Tell me about a difficult problem you solved at work. How did you find the cause? From this posting
Tell me about a time you had to explain something complex to someone outside your field. From this posting
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How do you make sure your work holds up in an audit? Finance & accounting
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Two managers ask you to book the same room at the same time. What do you do?
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