Senior Buyer II

About the role

You are accountable for sourcing materials after appropriately evaluating vendor capability, price, delivery needs, and vendor performance. You will be accountable for the on-time-delivery of material to Rocket Lab and responsible for owning the business relationship with assigned suppliers. You are responsible for managing the RFQ process to secure competitive bids and ensure we are achieving best price for goods and services. You will tightly integrate with Engineering teams to meet their procurement requirements and act as primary point of contact for R&D order status. You will provide status to material planners on purchase orders and expected delivery dates while accountable for negotiating terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost and delivery requirements. You will be accountable for maintaining purchase order data within our ERP system.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Accountable for sourcing materials after appropriately evaluating vendor capability, price, delivery needs, and vendor performance.
• Accountable for the on-time-delivery of material to Rocket Lab.
• Responsible for owning the business relationship with assigned suppliers.
• Responsible for managing the RFQ process to secure competitive bids and ensure we are achieving best price for goods and services.
• Tightly integrate with Engineering teams to meet their procurement requirements and act as primary point of contact for R&D order status.
• Provide status to material planners on purchase orders and expected delivery dates.
• Accountable for negotiating terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• Accountable for maintaining purchase order data within our ERP system.
• Support engineering R&D through production ramp, securing supply of the thousands of parts we use to build launch vehicles, satellite systems, and their components.
• Make daily decisions that are responsible for ensuring we meet our cost, quality, and delivery goals.
• Inspect and ensure that all of our materials and products are compliant and up to standard.
• Manage inventory, look after shipping and receiving, and manage direct and indirect procurement.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience and a bachelor's degree or equivalent years of work experience (12+ years total experience).
• Proven knowledge of purchasing processes.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of time.

Nice to have

• Proficient in MRP systems.
• Prior experience in aerospace, automotive, or other disruptive manufacturing industries.
• Prior experience in rapid growth environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience with AS9100, US export controls.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

Practical notes

• Hours: Full-time.
• Travel: Domestic and international travel up to 10% of time may be required.
• Visa: Candidates must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

Additional context and practical information

• Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more - all with the goal of opening access to space.
• The company's Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit.
• Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, its upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.
• The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
• The Supply Chain team is responsible for the flow of all materials, products, and components through the business and has a direct impact on the success of rocket and satellite programs.
• Buyers are based onsite at Rocket Lab's Auckland, NZ facility and support engineering, R&D, and production ramp activities.
• Buyers manage the entire procurement lifecycle from RFQ through to supplier relationship management and ERP data maintenance.
• The role requires close collaboration with engineering, material planners, and supplier networks to ensure mission-critical component supply.
• This position operates in a fast-paced, growth environment where cost, quality, delivery, and compliance are paramount.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills are essential for success in this role.
• The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated history of sourcing and managing complex supplier relationships in a regulated industry.
• Proficiency in enterprise resource planning systems is highly valued to maintain accurate purchase order data.
• Experience in highly regulated sectors such as aerospace provides a distinct advantage given Rocket Lab's compliance requirements.
• The ability to interpret technical documents and engineering drawings supports effective supplier engagement.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in New Zealand and meet any additional legal employment requirements as stipulated by local regulations.
• This role is integral to ensuring that Rocket Lab continues to deliver innovative space solutions on schedule and within budget.