Buyer
About the role
Vast is developing next‑generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware‑rich, low‑cost approach. The company is rapidly building its multi‑module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven‑1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Vast also recently announced Vast Satellite, a high‑power satellite product line leveraging its space‑station components and the heritage of Haven Demo. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has the facilities to manufacture and operate America’s next space station and plans to develop future habitats for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will expand the long‑term space economy. Vast is seeking a Buyer, reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, to support the development of the systems required to design and build artificial‑gravity, human‑rated space stations. This is a full‑time, exempt position located in Long Beach, CA.
Responsibilities
- Support end‑to‑end sourcing activities for assigned commodities/categories, from demand identification through supplier selection and purchase order placement
- Conduct ongoing market research to identify potential suppliers/subcontractors, assess capabilities, and support RFQ/RFP execution
- Experience sourcing tight‑tolerance, low‑volume/high‑mix, prototype, development, or production hardware
- Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to ensure suppliers have the necessary capabilities
- Develop the supply base, optimize the supply base to meet long‑term program needs
- Lead source selection, negotiations, and contracting strategies aligned to program, customer, product, and in‑service needs
- Own/maintain sourcing documentation, including RFQs/RFPs, bid analyses, supplier records, and purchase orders in ERP systems
- Track supply and demand signals and coordinate with planning/program teams to support schedule alignment and on‑time delivery
- Partner with quality, engineering, manufacturing, finance, legal/contracts, and program management to support supplier performance (quality, delivery, cost)
- Support supplier performance management and continuous improvement efforts (QCD), including corrective actions and recovery plans as needed
- Identify cost and lead time opportunities through basic cost analysis, pricing reviews, and value‑focused sourcing recommendations
- Operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with changing priorities, high accountability, and cross‑functional collaboration across all levels
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications (Level I): 0–2 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or a related role (internships/co‑ops acceptable); basic understanding of procurement processes (RFQ, PO lifecycle, supplier communication, lead times, Incoterms a plus); strong communication skills (written and verbal) and attention to detail.
Minimum Qualifications (Level II): Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience); 2–4+ years of experience in sourcing/procurement, supply chain, or manufacturing operations; experience supporting supplier selection and RFQ/RFP cycles, negotiations, and PO placement; exposure to manufacturing and/or aerospace supply chains strongly preferred.
Additional Requirements: Ability to travel up to 20%; willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical mission milestones; must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee/refugee) due to export control compliance.
Skills
Preferred Skills & Experience: Experience creating/updating RFPs/RFQs, purchase orders (POs), and work orders within an ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.); ability to analyze quotes and build basic cost/price comparisons; familiarity with BOMs; comfortable managing multiple priorities with ambiguous inputs and shifting timelines; strong organizational skills and ability to make sound decisions with limited information; team‑oriented and able to collaborate cross‑functionally with engineering, quality, ops, planning, contracts/legal, and finance; comfortable working in a high‑intensity environment supporting critical mission milestones.
Benefits
Full‑time employees receive company equity, medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off (up to 20+ days vacation for exempt staff, up to 10+ days for non‑exempt with ability to cash‑out unused vacation annually), paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. Food perks include snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals free of charge, with lunch subsidized.