Project Manager, Purchasing

Blue Bird Purchasing Support Role

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.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Purchasing Manager, this role provides critical operational support for major program offerings to ensure business objectives are met. Key objectives include assisting with project planning, tracking the completion of required deliverables, and supporting regular status updates for project sponsors, the cross-functional team, and senior management.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Project Support/Purchasing Lead: Assist in the daily coordination of project activities.
• Plan Maintenance: Ensure purchases are within project budget. Negotiate payment terms to help manage project cash flow.
• Data Analysis: Create and track large data sets, analyze trends, and present to track success over multiple metrics.
• Documentation Management: Assist in drafting Statements of Work (SOW) per the guidelines of Blue Bird's Procurement Policy and maintain centralized archives for all project documentation, including meeting minutes and key milestones.
• Deliverable Tracking: Monitor project task progress and follow up with team members to ensure adherence. Track project targets, milestones, and deliverables in Elevate.
• Stakeholder Communication: Attend daily and weekly meetings to communicate Purchasing updates to the project core team.
• Resource Coordination: Help identify and track resource needs across functional areas to support successful project completion.
• Process Improvement: Review internal documents for clarity and support efforts to streamline team communication and reporting processes.
• Perform other related administrative and project-based duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities For Success

• Foundational Project Management: Basic understanding of project management principles, including the ability to track timelines and budgets.
• Soft Skills: Strong organizational, time-management, and written/verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively within a team.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) required; exposure to Microsoft Project, Power BI, or SharePoint is a plus.
• Detail Oriented: High level of accuracy in data entry and document management.
• Self-Motivated: Has the passion to be curious and seek knowledge by themselves. Has the foresight to be willing to think ahead and problem solve. Proactive in acquiring new skills.

Basic Education And Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in project management, supply chain or equivalent experience required
• 3+ years of experience working on purchasing-related projects and business analytics related to procurement
• 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.

Preferred Experience

• Experience: 3+ years of automotive or manufacturing project management experience
• Certifications: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or similar entry-level credential.
• Technical Skills: Managing project scope and workloads, assessing and managing project risk, automating tasks, tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), assessing vendor proposals, working closely with cross-functional teams.

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 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

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.

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Qualifications

Education

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

Experience

3 years: Experience working as a project specialist or project manager

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.