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The Sourcing Specialist II will manage sourcing activities, supplier selection, market research, and coordination with various teams to enhance procurement processes in support of space station development.
At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for a Sourcing Specialist II, 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
- 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
- Assist with 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
Minimum Qualifications (Level I)
- 0–2 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or a related role (internships/co-ops acceptable)
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- 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)
- 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
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 is a plus
- 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
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 20%
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical mission milestones
Pay Range:
- Sourcing Specialist I: $65,000 - $90,000
- Sourcing Specialist II: $ 84,000 - $118,000
Pay Range: California
$65,000—$118,000 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 10 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Top Skills
Erp Systems
NetSuite
Oracle
SAP
Vast Long Beach, California, USA Office
2851 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA, United States, 90755
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