Sr. Program Manager

Blue Bird Fort Valley Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our team designs, engineers, and manufactures school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. Blue Bird is the proven leader in low‑ and zero‑emission school buses, having sold more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses. The company is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. Job Summary Reporting to the Sr. Mgr., Program Management, this role is responsible for leading all aspects of complex, major program offerings to ensure business objectives are met. Key objectives include project planning, ensuring execution of required deliverables and commitments, and communicating project status updates to sponsors, stakeholders, and senior management. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provides leadership, vision and direction for assigned project teams. Leads the development of the project scope, timing and budget, and coordinates activities to ensure projects are on time and on budget. Leverages the team’s input to develop detailed and achievable Microsoft Project timing plans. Creates and negotiates a Statement of Work (SOW) between internal stakeholders and third‑party providers and monitors/assigns internal actions for completion of the SOW and key milestones. Communicates project deliverable expectations; plans, monitors, and reviews project tasks; ensures adherence to Blue Bird’s Product Development System (PDS). Provides coaching and guidance to project team members. Identifies resource requirements needed to complete the project successfully and communicates needs to functional area leaders. Makes decisions and takes independent action on matters directly affecting project objectives. Evaluates project status continuously and regularly reports the status to Executive Management and key stakeholders. Prepares Gate Review documents for project approval and leads the review meeting with management. Reviews processes and documents with the team to ensure communication is concise; proposes ideas for continuous improvement. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Success Ability to complete projects on time and within the stated budget using Project Management tools. Excellent communication, organization, time management, business acumen and leadership skills. Proactive, with a can‑do mindset. Advanced skills using Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint (preferred). Experience with process development and continuous improvement (preferred). Basic Education and Experience Required Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Engineering related field, required. Minimum 7 years of managing major projects, including 2+ years in a manufacturing or technical environment. All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and authorized to work in the United States; proof of employment eligibility is required at the time of hire. Preferred Education and Experience MBA or Engineering Management Master’s degree (preferred). PMP Certification (preferred). Technical background or engineering development background (preferred). Experience managing a Product Development Program from concept to launch (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 is a plus. Ability to influence stakeholders. Effective communication and ability to convey complex details clearly. Commitment to collaborative teamwork and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives. Includes Medical Insurance 14 Paid Holidays Vacation time 401K Matching Equal Opportunity Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We comply with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. All applicants are entitled to apply based on their qualifications and abilities, and no unlawful discrimination in any form is permitted. Proof of Eligibility All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and are required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr