Finance Manager - Manufacturing & Supply Chain

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

FINANCE

Rocket Lab’s Finance team is responsible for all financial transactions for the company, operating as a well-oiled machine to maximize the value of our work. Our Finance team are made up of planners, analysts and accountants, and manage our policies, compliance, and reporting. They’re the ones who keep our financial operations in check, always thinking ahead and taking care to meet all of our financial, business, and government obligations. They’re attentive, diligent, and meticulous, and are mission-critical to Rocket Lab.

FINANCE MANAGER - MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY CHAIN

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Finance Manager will have the opportunity to drive operational and financial excellence across manufacturing and end-to-end supply chain activities. In this role, you will partner closely with operational executives to optimize cost structures, elevate financial performance, and accelerate business growth. To be successful in this role, you must be a strategic thinker with exceptional analytical skills, a collaborative mindset, and a relentless drive for continuous improvement. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

- Serve as a trusted advisor to manufacturing, supply chain, and operations leadership, guiding cost management, production planning, and strategic investment decisions.

- Lead financial planning and forecasting cycles for manufacturing and supply chain with high accuracy and alignment to enterprise objectives.

- Prepare and deliver comprehensive analysis across cost variance, absorption, production efficiency, working capital, and supply-chain performance indicators.

- Architect AI-enabled analytics frameworks to enhance operational intelligence and predictive capabilities.

- Lead strategic cost-optimization initiatives to improve unit economics, operating leverage, and enterprise scalability.

- Develop ROI models, payback assessments, and risk-adjusted investment analyses for capital investments.

- Partner with plant managers, supply chain leaders, procurement, and engineering to enhance operational execution and financial outcomes.

- Lead financial process optimization leveraging Infor LN ERP and Adaptive Planning to strengthen forecasting, reporting, and decision-making.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

- 8+ years of progressive financial leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain environments and a bachelors degree or equivalent years of work experience (12+ years total work experience).

- Strong experience with cost accounting, inventory management, and operational finance.

- Demonstrated success driving cost optimization and supporting accelerated enterprise growth.

- Experience with Infor LN ERP (strongly preferred) and Adaptive Planning (preferred).

- Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and cross-functional partnership skills.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

- MBA or CPA certification.

- Experience developing or applying AI-enabled tools to automate reporting, improve analytics, or enhance operational decision-making.

- Experience leading digital transformation initiatives across finance, operations, and supply chain.

- Advanced knowledge of lean manufacturing, throughput optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base Pay Range (CA Only) $125,000 — $165,000 USD
WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.