About this opportunity
Blue Bird Corporation lists this Director, Manufacturing Engineering, Body opportunity in fort valley, Georgia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Director, Manufacturing Engineering, Body
Job Category : Operations
Requisition Number : DIREC
Locations
Showing 1 location
Blue Bird Fort Valley
402 Blue Bird Blvd
Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA
Description
About Blue Bird Corporation
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. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit .
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Director of Manufacturing Engineering will champion the technical vision of the production floor. This senior leader will direct a high-performing team of engineers and technicians to resolve manufacturing bottlenecks, manage capital expenditures (CapEx), and enforce rigorous safety standards. By partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, you will drive continuous improvement, optimize process capabilities, and implement scalable manufacturing solutions to ensure on-time delivery and top-tier customer satisfaction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Team Leadership & Strategy
Direct and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers and Technicians, setting clear performance expectations, individual goals, and conducting annual appraisals.
Allocate engineering resources to ensure the timely delivery of tooling, labor standards, routers, and process instructions for all engineering changes.
Oversee the entire capital spending plan, actively participating in budgeting, recommending improvements, and drafting justification data for capital equipment procurement.
Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
Architect the manufacturing strategy for new product launches, ensuring seamless transitions from prototype to pilot to full-scale production.
Eliminate operator decision points and mitigate risks by analyzing line complexity drivers and deploying effective poka-yoke (error-proofing) solutions.
Spearhead lean manufacturing initiatives, production support, and line material presentation to drive cost reductions and process improvements.
Quality, Design & Compliance
Partner with Design Engineering to resolve chronic Design for Manufacturing (DFM) issues and implement corrective actions.
Perform rigorous evaluations of projects to ensure top-tier performance, safety, and reliability.
Review engineering analyses including PFMEA, DVP&R, and 8D root cause analysis to continuously improve product designs.
Maintain strict compliance with ISO 9000 standards, producing comprehensive and customer-ready documentation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Process Optimization: Expert in line balancing, process development, and eliminating bottlenecks to increase throughput.
CapEx Management: Proficient in capital expenditure oversight, financial planning, and construction management.
Tooling Integration: Skilled in the transition, calibration, and maintenance of error-proofing torque tooling.
Financial Planning: Adept at developing project budgets, cost analyses, and estimating production labor and equipment costs.
Project Management: Highly proficient in managing multiple, complex projects simultaneously from inception to completion.
Technical Software: Advanced user of MS Office Suite, with experience in MS Project.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to bridge the gap between departments, fostering teamwork and achieving shared objectives at all levels of the organization.
Strategic Problem Solving: Methodical, balanced, and dynamic approach to resolving operational challenges.
People Management & Conflict Resolution: Empathetic leadership style focused on motivation, assertiveness, and maintaining high team morale.
Communication & Organization: Strong written and oral communicator, capable of translating complex ideas into clear, actionable presentations.
Professional Ethics: Committed to a strong work ethic, professional conduct, and the highest standards of integrity.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :
Bachelor's in Engineering required
10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience required
5+ years of relevant professional leadership experience
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 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
7+ years of relevant professional leadership experience, preferred
Experience in Production Supervision required
Knowledge of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles preferred
PMP Certification and recognized process improvement training (Lean, Six Sigma), 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 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
Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching
WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Office environment and production environment
Must work in a 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
You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
Frequent communication with people throughout the day
*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
Required
Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.
Experience
Required
5 years:
5 years: Relevant professional leadership experience
10 years:
10 years: Manufacturing engineering experience
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.
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Worksite address
fort valley, GA, 31030, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.