Senior Buyer, E-2

As a Senior Buyer at Vast, your role encompasses a variety of responsibilities focused on enhancing our supply chain for aerospace components. You'll work directly with engineering teams to build rapport and understand component-specific requirements while conducting cost analyses for Bill of Materials (BOM). Your duties will also include issuing Requests for Quotations (RFQs) and Purchase Orders (POs) in a timely manner, mitigating delivery issues, and identifying improvement areas to streamline processes. This position combines strategic planning with active collaboration across departments to optimize production costs while maintaining high-quality standards.

To qualify for the Senior Buyer position at Vast, candidates should possess a minimum of four years of experience in procurement, with at least two years specifically within the aerospace sector. A Bachelor of Science degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering is required. Experience in roles involving traceability and familiarity with an ERP system are also essential. Preferred qualifications include the ability to navigate computer applications seamlessly and effectively manage multiple projects while maintaining strong communication skills.

Excelling as a Senior Buyer at Vast requires a unique blend of analytical and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in creating and updating RFQs and POs within ERP software is crucial. Strong problem-solving abilities and a logical, strategic approach will support your efforts in handling procurement challenges. Additionally, communication is key; you'll regularly relay important data to your teammates and external vendors. Flexibility in adapting to a fast-paced environment while mentoring others will also be vital for success in this role.

Yes, the Senior Buyer position at Vast will require some travel, estimated at up to 20% of the time. This travel may involve visits to suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to ensure collaboration and efficiency in the supply chain processes that are integral to our mission of building the world's first commercial space station. Being open to travel is an important aspect of the role, allowing for hands-on engagement with our partners and projects.

At Vast, the workplace culture is characterized by openness, innovation, and a shared commitment to ambitious goals. As a Senior Buyer, you’ll be part of a diverse team that encouragingly collaborates towards advancing space exploration technologies. We value mentorship and knowledge sharing, ensuring you have ample opportunities to learn and grow alongside professionals who are as passionate about our mission as you are. Coupled with a supportive environment that prioritizes employee well-being, Vast is dedicated to fostering a highly engaging and fulfilling workplace.

When answering this question, emphasize your relevant years of experience, describing specific roles you held in procurement and how they relate to aerospace. Highlight any projects where you successfully managed supply chains or reduced costs while maintaining quality standards, showcasing your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities in this niche.

In your response, outline a systematic approach to prioritization, such as using project timelines, stakeholder communication, and a tool for tracking progress. Discuss your ability to quickly assess what requires immediate attention versus what can be scheduled, demonstrating your capacity to handle a fast-paced work environment.

To answer this effectively, recount a specific instance where you recognized inefficiencies in the supply chain or procurement process. Share what strategies you employed to implement changes and the quantifiable results that followed, showcasing your analytical capabilities and impact on the company's bottom line.

Discuss your proactive strategy that includes identifying the root cause of the disruption, communicating with suppliers, and collaborating with internal teams to devise a solution. Explain how maintaining strong relationships with vendors contributes to your ability to handle such challenges and ensure continuity in production.

In responding, highlight the ERP systems you have experience with, describing how you used them in past roles to manage procurement tasks, track orders, and analyze data. If possible, provide examples of how your proficiency with ERP systems streamlined processes and improved accuracy in your work.

Your answer should cover a range of metrics, including on-time delivery rates, quality of products received, responsiveness to inquiries and RFQs, and overall cost effectiveness. Emphasize your data-driven approach and how you utilize these metrics to inform and improve supplier relations.

Select a project that illustrates strong collaboration, detailing your communication strategies and how you played a part in bridging procurement with engineering needs. Highlight the outcome and any lessons learned about cross-functional teamwork in a technical environment.

Indicate your methods for staying informed, such as industry publications, attending conferences, participating in online forums, or engaging with professional organizations. Discuss how this knowledge informs your decision-making processes and strengthens your procurement strategies.

Discuss potential challenges like regulatory changes, supplier reliability, or fluctuating material costs. Provide a thought-out strategy for addressing such issues, emphasizing your proactive mindset and flexibility in adapting to unforeseen circumstances.

Explain your belief in mentorship’s importance in professional development, sharing any experiences where you’ve both mentored others and sought mentorship. Highlight how this contributes to building a cohesive team focused on achieving company goals and fostering an environment of continuous learning.