Vast is looking for a Sr. Buyer, Machining, reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years in a Procurement role, 3 years in aerospace industry and/or manufacturing
• Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Engineering or Business-related field

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 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
• 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 the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction
• Ability to balance multiple priorities with ambiguous instructions

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: 

• Senior Buyer, Machining: $105,000 - $150,000