Commodity Manager – Marine

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 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.

Commodity Manager – Marine

Based on site at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA or Baltimore, MD, the Commodity Manager, Marine will be responsible for managing our Barge landing craft.  This critical piece of Neutron hardware will be a part of our Indirect Purchasing team.  The purchasing team supports indirect purchasing for all of Rocket Lab but this role will be specific to Neutron launch, from R&D to launching the first automated recovery of a launch vehicle.  We are growing fast, and our ideal candidate will have experience managing shipyards or technical program developments.  This role will report to the Senior Manager of Indirect Purchasing but will be focused purely on brining the Barge to fruition from a commercial perspective.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Owner of all Supply Chain Management aspects related to the Marine Category including cost, timing, and strategy. This means being responsible for issuing Request for Quotations, negotiating contract proposals, and managing the execution of any supplier agreement.
• Address all areas of commodity management including market conditions, technology roadmaps, cost modeling, and sourcing strategies.
• Operate as an external representative of Rocket Lab and manage respective supplier relationships. Conduct supplier performance management including dispute resolution, scorecards, and quarterly business reviews.
• Negotiate pricing with suppliers on a first principles basis to achieve best in class cost structures for construction, marine site selection, and offshore operations.
• Manage internal communications on supply, cost, and quality with key management leadership. Develop and execute mitigation plans to address supplier created issues.
• Work in a cross functional team environment as a strong team player and demonstrate ability to work with other functional groups to achieve company-wide goals.
• Travel to Gulf Coast Shipyards on an as needed basis.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Management, or other relevant fields
• 7+ years of related experience in supply chain management or commodity management
• Excellent negotiator

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, marine or highly technical field
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and provide insight on cost or manufacturability
• Prior experience in rapid growth environment with constantly shifting priorities or deliverables
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Team oriented, strong ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment and to multiple deadlines

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.