Senior Purchasing Manager

Job description

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 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:

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:

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 EXPEREINCE

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

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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

*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.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

High School or better.

Experience

Required

3 years:

Experience leading a team

10 years:

Experience working in purchasing/procurement

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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Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.