Manager, Procurement (Machining)

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing 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. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company 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, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy. Vast is seeking a Manager, Procurement (Machining) to lead procurement strategy, supplier execution, and team performance for machining commodities supporting the development and production of the world’s first commercial space station. This role is accountable for building and scaling the machining supply base, driving supplier performance, managing critical escalations, and ensuring sourcing processes enable the speed, agility, cost discipline, and quality required in a high-reliability aerospace manufacturing environment. The Manager will lead a team of 3–5 buyers or procurement professionals and will serve as the functional owner for machining commodity strategy. This includes supplier selection, capacity planning, commercial negotiations, KPI development, supplier relationship management, and continuous improvement across sourcing and procurement processes. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can operate strategically while also engaging directly in complex sourcing activities, supplier escalations, and cross-functional problem solving. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. Responsibilities: • Lead, develop, and performance-manage a team of 3–5 buyers or sourcing professionals supporting machining commodities • Own and execute the overall commodity strategy for machining, including supply base development, sourcing plans, supplier segmentation, capacity planning, and risk mitigation • Establish supplier selection strategies that balance speed, quality, technical capability, cost, capacity, and long-term scalability • Act as the primary escalation point for machining supplier issues, including schedule recovery, quality concerns, commercial disputes, capacity constraints, and delivery risks • Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Planning, Program Management, Finance, and Operations to align sourcing execution with production and program priorities • Develop, track, and improve KPIs related to sourcing cycle time, supplier on-time delivery, cost performance, quote turnaround, quality performance, and supplier responsiveness • Drive competitive sourcing events, RFQs/RFPs, supplier negotiations, contract execution, and long-term agreement strategies for machining spend • Lead supplier business reviews and performance management routines to drive accountability and continuous improvement • Identify and qualify new machining suppliers to support increasing production demand, technical complexity, and schedule requirements • Optimize procurement and sourcing processes to improve speed, agility, data integrity, and scalability as Vast transitions from development to production • Challenge requirements, identify cost and schedule opportunities, and partner with technical teams to improve manufacturability and sourcing outcomes • Support make-versus-buy evaluations, supplier capacity assessments, and sourcing risk reviews for critical hardware • Ensure supplier execution supports quality management system requirements, including AS9100, ISO9001, or equivalent aerospace manufacturing standards • Build organizational capability through coaching, prioritization, training, and development of team members • Provide clear visibility to senior leadership and other department leaders on supplier performance, sourcing risks, recovery plans, and commodity health • Identify and implement scalable improvements to support company growth, production readiness, and long-term supply chain resilience Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience • 7+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, supplier management, or a related field • Experience sourcing machined components or managing machining suppliers in a hardware manufacturing environment • Demonstrated experience leading teams, mentoring buyers or sourcing professionals, or managing procurement execution through others • Experience developing commodity strategies, supplier selection plans, or sourcing strategies for complex technical commodities • Experience negotiating pricing, terms, lead times, capacity commitments, or supplier agreements • Experience managing supplier escalations related to delivery, quality, cost, capacity, or contractual performance • Experience developing or managing KPIs related to supplier performance, procurement execution, sourcing cycle time, cost, or delivery • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and high-growth manufacturing environment • Strong communication skills with experience engaging technical stakeholders and senior leadership Preferred Skills & Ex