Senior Buyer, Machining

About the role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations 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. We are looking for a Sr. Buyer, Machining to support the development of systems required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. This full-time, exempt position is located in Long Beach.

Responsibilities

• Develop category-specific strategies for the machining supply base to deliver high-quality and low-cost solutions for Vast Engineering and Manufacturing customers.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, including CNC milling, CNC turning, multi-axis machining, complex assemblies, special processes, and inspection requirements.
• Experience sourcing tight-tolerance, low-volume/high-mix, prototype, development, or production machined hardware.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to ensure suppliers have the necessary capabilities.
• End-to-End Commodity Management: Manage assigned commodities from demand to contract fulfillment.
• Strategic & Tactical Execution: Apply sourcing and supplier management expertise across all organizational levels.
• Supply Base Development: Optimize the supply base to meet long-term program needs.
• Cost and Risk Reduction Strategy: Develop strategies to reduce total cost, lead time, and supply chain risk.
• Supplier Research & Negotiation: Conduct market research, assess suppliers, issue RFQs/RFPs, and lead contract negotiations.
• Integrated Sourcing Strategy: Align sourcing with program, customer, product lifecycle, and in-service support strategies.
• Supplier Performance Management: Oversee supply/demand planning, schedule adherence, quality, on-time delivery, and cost for suppliers.
• Supplier Development & Improvement: Lead supplier improvement initiatives and integrate results into strategies.
• Value Engineering & Cost Analysis: Drive value engineering, BOM cost breakdowns, and should-cost analysis.
• Seek alternate and innovative ideas to provide business solutions, challenge requirements and specifications to create competitive advantage.

Requirements

• 5 years in a Procurement role, 3 years in aerospace industry and/or manufacturing.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Engineering, or a Business-related field.
• Ability to create and update request for proposals (RFPs), purchase orders (POs), and facilities work orders in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to make independent judgments with limited information.
• Strong communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in writing) between other employees, vendors, and customers.
• Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time, and flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities with ambiguous instructions.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones.

Pay

Base salary range: $105,000 – $150,000 USD. Salary varies depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.

Benefits

• Company equity for full-time employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off: up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days for non-exempt staff, with the 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.
• Other discounts and perks.
• Exceptional food perks: free snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls and must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62.