Senior Global Supply Manager - Critical Minerals
About The Position
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 rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 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 & Neutron 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. Based on site at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Global Supply Manager, Critical Minerals (Germanium) will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Rocket Lab's rocket and satellite programs. In this role, you'll serve as the domain expert and single leader for Germanium, a strategic critical mineral essential to our products, securing the raw materials that power our missions. You'll lead sourcing strategies, build strong supplier partnerships, and drive supply chain resilience from early development to serial production, collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver world-class results. As the lead for Germanium, you'll own the global mandate end-to-end: market intelligence, tiered supply chain mapping, supplier and government relationship management, should-cost modeling, contracting, and stockpiling strategy. Rocket Lab's Supply Chain team is the backbone of our operations, ensuring the seamless flow of materials, components, and products that power our missions. From managing procurement to ensuring compliance and quality, this team is critical to the success of our Electron & Neutron rockets and Space Systems programs.
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supplier management, or commodity management, with direct exposure to critical minerals or their downstream products (e.g., germanium, gallium, rare earth magnets, tungsten, antimony, lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese).
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, or related technical field—or equivalent years of work experience (9+ years of total work experience).
- Demonstrated experience navigating concentrated, geopolitically sensitive supply chains.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% of the time, including travel to mines, refiners, and processors.
- U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) in materials science, chemical sciences, or metallurgical/mining engineering; MBA is a big plus.
- Experience in defense, aerospace, automotive, or other disruptive manufacturing industries with deep raw material dependencies.
- Experience working with U.S. government programs supporting domestic critical mineral supply (e.g., DPA Title III, DOE Loan Programs Office, DLA National Defense Stockpile).
- Experience structuring or supporting non-traditional commercial arrangements (long-term offtake, prepayments, equity investments, JVs).
- Strategic thinker with a track record of building commodity roadmaps alongside engineering and finance stakeholders.
- Experience in a rapid growth environment with constantly shifting priorities.
- Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven cross-functional leadership and ability to influence at all levels of an organization.
- APICS certification; experience with AS9100 and export controls.
Responsibilities
- Own the commodity strategy for Germanium, with explicit focus on supply chain resilience, geopolitical risk mitigation (concentration in mining and refinement).
- Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring resilience and reliability.
- Maintain expert-level market intelligence and deliver regular updates on pricing, disruptions, and geopolitical signals.
- Conduct market research and stay ahead of industry trends to inform strategic decisions.
- Host cross-functional tag-ups, lead strategy reviews, and conduct executive briefings on market conditions and mitigation plans.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with program goals for cost, quality, and delivery.
- Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP processes across miners, refiners, processors, and component suppliers.
- Lead supplier negotiations on a first principles basis to secure best-in-class terms; perform should-cost and TCO analysis and maintain cost models to deliver on competitiveness targets.
- Negotiate key agreements (offtake, pricing, capacity reservations, payment terms) suited to volatile, concentrated markets.
- Evaluate and recommend strategic interventions (stockpiling, prepayments, JVs, equity investments, vertical integration), partnering with Corporate Development and Finance.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, from initial RFIs to contract execution and beyond.
- Build trusted relationships with suppliers, industry associations, and U.S./allied government bodies (DoD, DPA Title III, DLA, DOE); represent Rocket Lab externally for germanium.
- Engage with Legal/Contracts to establish the right contractual framework to support our programs and commodity strategy.
- Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance through metrics, scorecards, and regular reviews.
Benefits
- Company stock
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
- Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution)
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid vacation and sick time
- 11 paid holidays
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
- Paid parental leave
- Disability and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging
- Onsite fitness centers (where available)
- Discounted gym memberships
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- 50% employee discount on our popular merch store
- Variety of other employee discounts
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
