Senior Global Supply Manager I

About the role

The Senior Global Supply Manager I will own the end-to-end sourcing and supplier management lifecycle for critical space programs at Rocket Lab. You will develop and execute sourcing strategies that directly align with program goals for cost, quality, and delivery performance. This role requires building and maintaining strong, strategic supplier relationships from initial RFIs through contract execution and long-term partnership management. You will lead supplier negotiations on a first principles basis to secure best-in-class terms and drive continuous improvement in performance. The position involves close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure supplier capabilities meet evolving program requirements. You will identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure resilience and reliability for Rocket Lab's mission-critical operations. Additionally, you will act as the go-to procurement expert, solving complex challenges in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with program goals for cost, quality, and delivery.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, from initial RFIs to contract execution and beyond.
• Lead supplier negotiations on a first principles basis to secure best-in-class terms, including cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance through metrics, scorecards, and regular reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure supplier capabilities meet program requirements, from prototyping to full-scale production.
• Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring resilience and reliability.
• Engage with Legal/Contracts to establish the right contractual framework to support our programs and commodity strategy.
• Identify cost savings/avoidance opportunities, execute cost reduction strategies, and maintain cost models and should-cost analysis up to date to deliver on competitiveness targets.
• Conduct market research and stay ahead of industry trends to inform strategic decisions.
• Act as the go-to procurement expert, solving challenges and driving results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Partner with Supply Chain leadership to define, track, and drive key performance indicators for strategic suppliers.
• Support the development and maintenance of supplier databases and ensure accurate data integrity within ERP systems.
• Manage the procurement of critical materials and components necessary for Rocket Lab's Electron and Neutron programs.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
• Provide subject matter expertise on supply chain initiatives and contribute to process improvements across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Proven experience in high-growth, fast-paced environments, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or space industry.
• Demonstrated success in managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts with external vendors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP systems, with the ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorization sponsorship for this position at the time of hire.
• Must be able to pass a background check and meet all eligibility requirements for U.S. security clearance levels as determined by Rocket Lab.
• Must be willing to comply with Rocket Lab's drug-free workplace policy.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must have a proven track record of managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Must demonstrate strong leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Nice to have

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as Engineering or Physics.
• Experience with cost modeling and should-cost analysis.
• Familiarity with space industry supply chain best practices and regulatory environment.
• Experience with supplier quality management systems and auditing.
• Knowledge of advanced procurement tools and automation platforms.
• Experience in managing import/export logistics and compliance.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks specific to aerospace and defense.

Practical notes

This role is based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, California. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring work authorization sponsorship. There are no specific travel, visa, or deadline requirements listed for this position.