Senior Purchasing Manager

Senior Purchasing Manager

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world 25 million children twice a day making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions.

Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the Senior Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the procurement and category management strategy for Powertrain and Drivetrain commodities to ensure the timely acquisition of goods and services that support business continuity, product quality, and cost competitiveness. This role requires a strong, self-starting leader with deep understanding of commercial realities and market dynamics within the automotive/commercial vehicle supply base, exceptional negotiation capability, and the ability to partner effectively with Engineering and internal stakeholders.

This position will lead and develop a team of purchasing/category professionals while operating with a high level of autonomy within our remote office in Troy, MI. The role is accountable for supplier strategy, sourcing, contracting, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier performance across the full scope of assigned spend. The Senior Purchasing Manager will also provide updates through structured quarterly reviews with senior stakeholders, including Engineering alignment on category strategy, supplier performance, and long-range plans.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Lead a team of purchasing category specialists; set priorities, coach performance, and develop capability within an autonomous environment
• Own and drive full-scope category strategy for assigned commodities (Powertrain and Drivetrain), delivering superior quality, cost, and delivery performance
• Partner closely with Engineering and cross-functional stakeholders to align category strategy with product, cost, and manufacturing objectives; provide updates and outcomes in quarterly review cadence
• Lead and recommend supplier selection and manage the preferred supplier list for assigned categories
• Govern quote management, market testing, and sourcing events to ensure best-value outcomes
• Deploy dual/multi-sourcing strategies to ensure continuity of supply for key products and mitigate supply risk
• Establish and maintain relationships across critical suppliers; serve as an escalation point for performance, risk, and commercial matters
• Own all commercial aspects of category relationships; lead contract negotiations, pricing models, and commercial terms
• Develop Annual Operating Plan and Long-Range Strategic Plan for the full scope of spend within assigned categories
• Govern supplier repricing, purchased price variance (PPV), and additional purchase part costs; ensure visibility, action plans, and results
• Drive productivity ideation and implementation (cost-out, value engineering support, supplier development, and supply chain optimization)
• Demonstrate supplier development experience from new product development through full rate production (launch readiness, APQP/PPAP support as applicable, and steady-state performance improvement)

Required knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Extensive experience in procurement/category management with automotive or commercial vehicle supply base
• Strong understanding of supplier market dynamics and commercial realities (pricing drivers, cost structures, contract levers, risk indicators, and negotiation strategy)
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams; ability to perform independently and drive results in a remote/lean office environment
• Ability to accomplish financial analysis, supplier selection, and approval processes (total cost analysis, PPV, cost breakdowns, and business case development)
• Demonstrated supplier development experience from new product development to full rate production
• Project Management and/or Contract Management experience
• Professional Certifications in Project/Supply Chain/Procurement/Contract Management (preferred where applicable)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to provide concise executive-level updates and lead structured quarterly reviews
• Ability to perform in high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
• Experience with Six Sigma and Lean Tools

Education and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a business or engineering related field
• Minimum of 10+ years' experience working in purchasing/procurement
• Minimum of 3 years' experience leading a team
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Preferred education and experience:

• MBA, preferred
• Automotive/Commercial vehicle experience preferred

We value:

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance;
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters;
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus;
• Ability to influence stakeholders;
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex compensation details in a clear manner;
• Flexible workspaces and work hours that help you unleash the best you;
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

Includes:

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

Work conditions:

• Local travel 30%
• Quarterly travel to Georgia Blue Bird locations
• Office environment and production environment
• Must work in manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Fast paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

Blue Bird is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.