Senior Buyer, Machining

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones