Manager - Purchasing

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Auckland is seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the procurement team supporting machining and raw materials as the company scales from R&D to mass production. You will own end-to-end procurement, build supplier relationships, and ensure readiness for high-rate manufacturing, reporting to the Director of Procurement NZ.

The role requires 8+ years in purchasing, strong negotiation and cost modelling skills, and a track record of cross-functional collaboration in fast-moving

Qualifications

• 8+ years of purchasing experience with leadership in fast-paced manufacturing.
• Proven ability to source, negotiate, and manage suppliers in complex production settings.
• Experience building team strategy and operation plans for scaling.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a procurement team focused on machining and raw material commodities.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement to support production ramp and rapid engineering cycles.
• Develop global commodity strategies to optimise cost, quality, and delivery.
• Negotiate using cost modelling to influence design and long-term cost.
• Maintain supplier readiness for high-volume production and data in ERP.
• Identify new suppliers to support future scaling.

Skills

Purchasing leadership

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Cost modelling tools

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.

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 enable 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.

MANAGER PURCHASING

Rocket Lab is scaling rapidly from research and development into true mass production, and we are seeking a Purchasing Manager who can build and lead the procurement team that will support this transformation. Based in Auckland, this role owns all machining related commodity purchasing including aluminum, composites, and 3D printed materials. You will ensure our supply base is ready for high rate manufacturing. This role reports to the Director of Procurement NZ.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead a high performing procurement team focused on machining and raw material commodities
• Manage end to end procurement that supports production ramp and rapid engineering cycles
• Develop global commodity strategies that deliver cost, quality, and delivery performance at scale
• Negotiate using first principles cost modelling to influence engineering design and long term cost
• Build strong supplier relationships and ensure readiness for high volume production
• Resolve material and scheduling issues across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain
• Oversee supplier performance including quality, on time delivery, and pricing
• Maintain accuracy of procurement and planning data in ERP
• Identify new suppliers and capabilities to support future scaling

WHAT YOU BRING

• 8 or more years of purchasing experience including leadership in fast paced or high growth manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers in complex production settings
• Experience building team strategy and operational plans for scaling operations
• Strong cross functional collaboration skills

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or other high rate and high precision manufacturing sectors
• Strong communication, organisation, and problem solving skills
• Experience in rapid growth environments
• Knowledge of AS9100 and US export controls ITAR and EAR

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.