Leading Hand - Inventory

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand seeks a hands-on Inventory Leader to drive accuracy, throughput and timely production kits across the supply chain. You will manage a small team, coordinate movements and resolve issues ensuring on-time delivery for critical spacecraft components.

The role requires strong forklift/Reach Truck operation, ERP fluency and a proactive, safety-minded approach. Expect a fast-paced environment with emphasis on continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in inventory or warehouse management.
• Experience leading a small team in a fast-paced environment.
• Competent forklift and reach truck operation is required.
• Strong ERP/IT systems literacy and process discipline.
• Excellent organizational and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead & coordinate daily activities of Inventory Coordinators to drive throughput and DIFOT outcomes.
• Maintain inventory accuracy and ensure real-time movement reflected in systems.
• Deliver production kits and components on time, including urgent orders.
• Act as first escalation point for inventory issues and non-conformances.
• Maintain 5S warehouse standards and safe working practices.
• Identify and embed continuous improvement initiatives across the function.
• Provide exceptional service to Production, Logistics and other teams.
• Champion safety policies, PPE use and incident reporting.

Skills

Forklift operator

Reach truck operator

Team leadership

ERP systems

Inventory management

Tools

ERP platforms

Job description

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.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

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 .

What You’ll Do

• Lead & Support:Provide daily direction and support to Inventory Coordinators, driving throughput and DIFOT outcomes.
• Stock Accuracy:Maintain inventory accuracy and ensure systems reflect real-time movements.
• Production Delivery:Deliver production kits and components on time, including fast-track and urgent orders.
• Issue Resolution:Act as the first escalation point for inventory-related issues, resolving non-conformances promptly.
• Warehouse Standards:Maintain a tidy, orderly warehouse environment aligned with 5S principles.
• Continuous Improvement:Identify, lead, and embed continuous improvement initiatives across the function.
• Customer Service:Provide exceptional service to Production Assembly teams, Logistics, and other stakeholders.
• Safety Leadership:Lead a safe workplace by enforcing policies, PPE use, hazard management, and incident reporting.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading a small team in a high-paced environment.
• Must be a competent and experienced Forklift and Reach Truck Operator.
• Strong organizational skills, a can-do attitude, and comfort working with IT systems and ERP platforms.
• Effective communication and relationship-building abilities.

Preferred Experience

• Background in aerospace, automotive, heavy manufacturing, or rapid-growth environments.

Why Rocket Lab?

You’ll work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, in a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. At Rocket Lab, every day is a chance to make a real impact.

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.

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.