Inventory Specialist Intern

Rocketlab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 21,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on aerospace ops exposure

Mentorship from supply chain pros

Aerospace industry experience

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an Inventory Specialist Intern to join the Auckland Production Complex. You will collect and analyse data to optimise warehouse storage and improve part-to-location ratios, developing visuals to highlight bottlenecks and proposing actionable improvements.

This internship offers hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to contribute to efficiency improvements across multiple facilities.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed MBA or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and a passion for data quality.
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to apply operations and logistics concepts and theories.
• Takes ownership and accountability for task completion.

Responsibilities

• Data Collection & Analysis: Collect data on parts and locations across multiple warehouse facilities; Calculate and analyze the current part-to-location ratios for each warehouse.
• Visualization & Communication: Develop visual tools (heatmaps, dashboards) to represent saturation levels; communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Solution Development: Propose systematic and physical improvements to optimize storage and reduce saturation; create action plans.
• Documentation & Presentation: Prepare a comprehensive report with data analysis, visualisations, and proposed solutions; present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Independent working

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MBA or Bachelor’s in Supply Chain/Logistics/Operations

Tools

Excel

Tableau

Power BI

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.

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems.We'reopening access to space to improve life on Earth through our Electron rocket and Neutron launch vehicleprogrammes, alongside our space systems business. From pioneering carbon composite rocket technology to delivering reliable and rapid launch services,we'repushing the boundaries ofwhat'spossible in aerospace.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We'relooking for a motivated intern to join our Supply Chain team at our Auckland Production Complex. As an Inventory Specialist Intern, you will play a key role inanalysingandoptimisingthe storage efficiency of our multiple warehouse locations by calculating and measuring the ratio of parts to locations.

This ratio will helpidentifyareas of saturation where parts are densely stored, making it difficult for team members tolocateitems quickly and efficiently. Byidentifyingthese bottlenecks, you will enable us to implement systematic and physical improvements to our warehouseorganisation,ultimately improvingoperational efficiency and reducing retrieval times.

During your internship, you will collect andanalysedata, createvisualisationsto highlight problem areas, and propose actionable recommendations for improving storage layouts and part-to-location ratios. This project offers you the opportunity to apply your analytical and problem-solving skills in a real-worldlogisticsand operations environment supporting rocket production.

This is an opportunity to work on real operational challenges and contribute to missions that areliterally reachingfor the stars.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Data Collection & Analysis:

• Collect data on parts and locations across multiple warehouse facilities

• Calculate andanalysethe current part-to-location ratios for each warehouse

• Identifytrends, patterns, and areas of saturation that hinder efficient part identification and retrieval

• Document findings and data quality observations

Visualisation & Communication:

• Develop visual tools (e.g., heatmaps, dashboards) torepresentthe saturation levels across different warehouse locations

• Create clear and compelling datavisualisationsto communicate findings to stakeholders

• Collaborate with warehouse staff tovalidatefindings and gather operational feedback

Solution Development:

• Propose systematic and physical improvements tooptimisestorage and reduce saturation

• Create aprioritisedaction plan for implementation

• Work with cross-functional teams tovalidateproposed solutions

• Support pilotreorganisationefforts in selected warehouse locations (stretch goal)

Documentation & Presentation:

• Prepare a comprehensive report with data analysis,visualisations, and proposed solutions

• Document all processes, methodologies, and recommendations

• Present findings and proposed solutions to key stakeholders

• Hand over all deliverables to support long-term implementation

General Responsibilities:

• Take ownership for completion of tasks personally delivering results

• Commit to and complete tasks within expectedtime frame, holding yourself accountable

• Manage your own task list and executeallocatedtasks to assigned deadlines

• Communicate effectively with peers and stakeholders usingappropriate mediums

• Support specific tasks for other teammates when asked and appropriately trained

• Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed

PROJECT GOALS

• Calculate andanalysethe part-to-location ratio for each warehouse

• Develop visual tools (e.g., heatmaps, dashboards) to highlight areas of saturation

• Propose systematic and physical improvements tooptimisestorage and reduce saturation

• Provide a comprehensive report and handover documentation to support long-term implementation of solutions

• Stretch Goal: Implement a pilotreorganisationin a selected warehouse location and measure the impact on efficiency

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

MUST HAVE:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed an MBA orBachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Attention to detail and a passion for data quality

• Proficiencyin Excel for data analysis and reporting

• Ability to apply operations andlogisticsconcepts and theories

• Takes ownership and accountability for task completion by delivering results

• Proactive communicator, comfortable seekingclarificationand feedback

• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively

• Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross-functional teams

• Interest inlogistics, supply chain, or warehouse management

NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in stores, warehouse, or inventory management roles

• Experience inlogistics, supply chain, or data analysis roles

• Experience with process improvement or efficiency projects

• Familiarity with datavisualisationtools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

• Basic knowledge of inventory management systems or ERP software (e.g., Infor, SAP, Oracle)

• Understanding of warehouse management best practices

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)

• Knowledge of aerospace or high-reliability manufacturing environments

• Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation

WHAT WE OFFER

• Hands-on experienceoptimisingreal warehouse operations for aerospace manufacturing

• Opportunity to directlyimpactoperational efficiency across multiple facilities

• Mentorship from experienced supply chain andlogisticsprofessionals

• Professional development opportunities in supply chain management and data analytics

• Collaborative and innovative work environment at our Auckland Production Complex

• Exposure to aerospace manufacturing and rocket production operations

• Experience working with inventory management systems and ERP software

• Opportunity to present findings to senior stakeholders

• Direct contribution to improving efficiency for Electron and Neutronprogrammes

• Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab

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 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.