Sr. Purchasing Manager, Commercial Chassis

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. 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.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, this role is responsible for leading procurement activities supporting Blue Bird's Commercial Chassis Business Unit for RV and commercial vehicle applications. This role provides procurement leadership from early product development through sourcing, supplier readiness, validation, launch, and production. The Senior Manager serves as the primary Purchasing point of accountability for the business unit and leads a team responsible for commodity sourcing, supplier development, supplier performance, and program execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy and execution for the Commercial Chassis Business Unit, establishing priorities, sourcing plans, commercial targets, and supplier actions aligned with program timing.
• Work directly with Engineering from concept through production to define sourcing requirements, supplier involvement, design change points, technical assumptions, and timing.
• Lead sourcing decisions, supplier selection, RFQs, negotiations, contracts, and commercial agreements while balancing cost, quality, delivery, technical capability, and launch risk.
• Lead supplier transition planning, onboarding, and readiness activities for new and carryover content, including capacity, tooling, timing, quality, and production readiness.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and Program Management to ensure procurement actions remain aligned to business and launch milestones.
• Establish clear procurement milestones, executive reporting, risk tracking, escalation paths, and action ownership across the Commercial Chassis portfolio.
• Drive supplier performance, recovery plans, and executive escalation when quality, delivery, capacity, or commercial issues put program timing at risk.
• Own procurement cost targets, savings plans, budget inputs, and commercial assumptions; identify opportunities to leverage Blue Bird's broader supply base where technically and commercially appropriate.
• Lead, coach, and develop procurement professionals; establish role clarity, workload priorities, performance expectations, and succession plans.
• Improve sourcing, supplier engagement, and procurement program-management processes to support faster decisions, stronger accountability, and repeatable execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in purchasing, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or a related manufacturing function.
• Minimum of 5 years of people leadership or significant procurement team leadership experience.
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, heavy truck, RV chassis, or related manufacturing.
• Experience supporting new product development and major product launches.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, supplier development, and production readiness.
• Advanced degree or professional purchasing/supply chain certification.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of automotive or commercial vehicle procurement and supplier management.
• Ability to lead complex sourcing and supplier transition activities from concept through production.
• Strong commercial negotiation, contract, and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering on supplier-supported product development.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving, risk-management, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to perform in a high-stress, fast-paced program environment.
• 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.
• Ability to influence stakeholders.
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.

Benefits

• Continued professional development.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 14 paid holidays.
• Vacation time.
• 401k matching.

Work Conditions

• 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.
• Must wear appropriate PPE when and where required.
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours.
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day.