Buyer

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Buyer to secure the supply chain for launch vehicles, satellites, and systems. You will convert requisitions to POs, evaluate vendors, and manage supplier relationships from R&D through production ramp.

Collaborate with Engineering and ensure on-time delivery and best pricing. Ideal candidates will have proven sourcing and negotiation experience, strong purchasing process knowledge, and excellent communication, with willingness to travel up to 10% domestically or

Qualifications

• Comfortable working in a support role with guidance as you grow into the position.
• Proven ability to source, onboard, and negotiate pricing with suppliers.
• Solid knowledge of purchasing processes.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with effective prioritisation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Team-oriented, able to multi-task and work to multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders, evaluating vendor capability, price, delivery, and performance.
• Ensure on-time delivery of purchased parts from vendors to Rocket Lab.
• Own and manage business relationships with assigned suppliers.
• Run the RFQ process to secure competitive bids and achieve best pricing.
• Partner closely with Engineering teams and act as the primary contact for R&D order status.
• Keep material planners updated on purchase order status and expected delivery dates.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchase order data in the ERP system.
• Follow all health and safety policies, wear correct PPE, and report near misses and incidents promptly.

Skills

Sourcing

Vendor negotiation

Purchasing processes

Organization

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering / Business / Supply Chain degree

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

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.

ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN AT ROCKET LAB:

Rockets don't launch themselves, and neither do the thousands of parts that build them. As a Buyer at Rocket Lab, you'll secure the supply chain that powers every launch vehicle, satellite, and system we create. From R&D through production ramp, your decisions keep us on target for cost, quality, and delivery. When the stakes are this high, every part counts and every order matters.

If it flies, you helped buy it.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders, evaluating vendor capability, price, delivery, and performance

Ensure on-time delivery of purchased parts from vendors to Rocket Lab

Own and manage business relationships with assigned suppliers

Run the RFQ process to secure competitive bids and achieve best pricing

Partner closely with Engineering teams and act as the primary contact for R&D order status

Keep material planners updated on purchase order status and expected delivery dates

Negotiate terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements

Maintain accurate purchase order data in the ERP system

Follow all health and safety policies, wear correct PPE, and report near misses and incidents promptly

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Comfortable working in a support role with guidance as you grow into the position

Proven ability to source, onboard, and negotiate pricing with suppliers

Solid knowledge of purchasing processes

Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with effective prioritisation

Excellent verbal and written communication

Team-oriented, able to multi-task and work to multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Willing to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or a related field

Experience with MRP/ERP systems

Background in aerospace, EV automotive, or other high-growth manufacturing

Ability to read engineering drawings

Familiarity with AS9100 and ITAR/EAR

If this sounds like you then.

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 [e-mail]. 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.