Buyer

Rocket Lab USA, a hands-on space company delivering rockets, spacecraft and critical subsystems, is hiring a Buyer to join its Auckland, NZ team. The role is full-time and onsite, anchored in the supply chain organization that powers every launch vehicle and satellite the company builds. This is a great fit for someone who enjoys working with suppliers, coordinating with engineering, and keeping complex schedules on track in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

The Buyer helps secure the materials and services that keep missions on track, turning requisitions into purchase orders, assessing supplier capability and delivery performance, and negotiating terms that balance quality and cost. You’ll manage relationships with assigned suppliers and serve as the primary contact for R&D orders, while keeping material planners updated on order status and delivery dates. It’s a hands-on role that touches much of the build cycle, from research and development through production.

If you thrive in cross-functional settings, enjoy the detail work of procurement, and want to help a space company scale in New Zealand, this could be the right next step for you.

A day in the life of a Buyer in Auckland

On an average day you’ll convert requisitions into concrete purchase orders and judge supplier potential on price, delivery, and performance. You’ll manage supplier relationships end-to-end, run RFQs to secure competitive bids, and work closely with Engineering to stay aligned with R&D needs. You’ll also keep material planners informed about PO status and expected deliveries, negotiate terms that support quality and on-time delivery, and ensure accurate purchase order data lives in the ERP for easy access across the team. Health and safety policies are followed, PPE is worn where required, and safety incidents are reported promptly.

Foundations you’ll bring to the role

Here’s what Rocket Lab expects from the ideal candidate, expressed in practical terms.

• You’ll start in a supportive capacity, with guidance as you grow into the responsibilities
• You have a track record of sourcing, onboarding, and negotiating pricing with suppliers
• You understand purchasing workflows and processes
• You’re organized and able to solve problems, prioritising tasks effectively
• You communicate clearly, both in speech and in writing
• You work well with a team, can juggle several tasks, and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced setting
• You’re willing to travel up to 10% of the time, domestically and internationally

Nice-to-haves that could help you hit the ground running

• A degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or a related field
• Experience using MRP or ERP systems
• Background in aerospace, EV automotive manufacturing, or other high-growth sectors
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
• Familiarity with AS9100 and ITAR/EAR regulations

Advice for applicants for this role

Lead with hands-on procurement wins, detailing how you turned requisitions into purchase orders, assessed supplier capability, and used RFQs to drive competitive bids.

Show your impact through cross-functional work by describing times you partnered with engineering and managed R&D order status to keep projects moving.

Be ready to discuss travel readiness, including experiences traveling for supplier meetings or site visits, given the up-to-10% travel expectation.

If you’ve worked with ERP/MRP systems or have exposure to aerospace-style quality regimes like AS9100 and ITAR/EAR, call that out, along with any ability to read engineering drawings.

For New Zealand applicants, background checks are conducted before any employment offers. These checks include nationality verification because access to ITAR-controlled equipment and data is restricted.

Under these ITAR regulations, you may be ineligible 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 lack the required authorizations. Learn more about ITAR Regulations.