Blue Bird Corporation has been designing, building, selling, and servicing the world's finest school bus since 1927. We have grown to become a billion-dollar school bus manufacturer headquartered in Macon, GA with manufacturing facilities located just 30 minutes south in Fort Valley, GA.

The Senior Manager of Purchasing reports to the Executive Director, Purchasing. In this role, the Senior Manager, Purchasing is responsible for and creates, implements complex category strategies to optimize business efficiency and minimize the Total Cost of Ownership of the goods and services within the category/commodity, and maximize sales. Engages with the company’s strategic partners to navigate complex category regulations to ensure mix/availability, timely launch, and delivery.

Leads a team of category specialists to pursue strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contracting, performance, and risk management to exceed Blue Birds targets. Works with supply base on VA/VE projects to pursue targets such as price, availability, technology, and delivery schedule that is consistent with getting the highest quality goods at the lowest possible cost to the company. Estimates the values according to knowledge of market price and raw material trends. Reviews bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority. Effectively manages supply constraints and capacity analytics to ensure supplier recovery and diverse supply chain. Maintains manual or computerized procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and supply agreements. Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, suppliers, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leads team of category specialists
• Develops and manages the category supply base
• Negotiates strong long-term partnership agreements with strategic suppliers to exceed company long term cost targets.
• Strategically/tactically ensures company supply chain by navigating the future legislation.
• Leads all category negotiations to drive fully landed cost reductions, mitigate increases drive, manage changes, and parts and service support
• Ensures supplier capacity and timely supply at the agreed lead times from each supplier.
• Drives Long term leadership development of category specialists
• Supports, implementations, and administers all supply agreements
• Ensures all contract administration procedures are followed and executed in a professional manner
• Resolves CSR and STR cases in an expedited manner
• Performs cost analysis and assess impacts of supplier cost files
• Assists in purchasing administrative duties (examples, however, not an all-inclusive list below):
  • LN part set-up, PDR creation, and enter approved cost changes
  • LN part updates, PMO/PLM assistance/liaison to OE engineering

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Leadership and the ability to develop subordinates and succession plan
• Knowledge of the commercial truck/automotive market
• Ability to accomplish basic financial analysis, supplier selection, and approval
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to perform in high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased
• Proficiency in MS Office applications

EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in purchasing/procurement
• Purchasing Management experience required
• Automotive purchasing experience preferred

EOE/AA/Disabled/Veterans

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, gender, military status, disability, or any other status protected by law. Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

Experience

• 7 year(s): Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in purchasing/procurement Purchasing Management experience required

Education

• Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field

• Masters or better in Business Administration

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
• Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks