Sr. Program Manager

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 www.blue-bird.com.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Mgr., Program Management, this role is responsible for leading all aspects of complex, major program offerings to ensure business objectives are met. This role’s key objectives include: project planning, ensuring execution of required deliverables and commitments, and communicating project status updates to project sponsors, key stakeholders and senior management. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, vision and direction for assigned project teams. 
• Leads the development of the project scope, timing and budget, and coordinates activities to ensure projects are on time and on budget. 
• Leverages the team’s input to develop detailed and achievable Microsoft Project timing plan. 
• Creates and negotiates a Statement of Work (SOW) between internal stakeholders and third-party providers and monitors/assigns internal actions for completion of the SOW and key milestones. 
• Communicates project deliverable expectations; planning, monitoring, and reviewing project tasks; ensures adherence to Blue Bird’s Product Development System (PDS). 
• Provides coaching and guidance to project team members. 
• Identifies resource requirements needed to complete the project successfully and communicates needs to functional area leaders. 
• Makes decisions and takes independent action on matters directly affecting project objectives. 
• Evaluates project status continuously and regularly reports the status to Executive Management and key stakeholders. 
• Prepares Gate Review documents for project approval and leads the review meeting with management. 
• Review processes and documents with the team to ensure communication is concise; proposes ideas for continuous improvement 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Success

• Ability to complete projects on time and within the stated budget using Project Management tools. 
• Must possess excellent communication, organization, time management, business acumen and leadership skills. 
• Must be proactive, with a can-do mindset
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, preferred 
• Experience with process development and continuous improvement, preferred 

Basic Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Engineering related field, required
•  Minimum 7 years of managing major projects with
  • 2 years in a manufacturing or technical environment. 
• 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

•  MBA or Engineering Management Master’s degree, preferred
• PMP Certification, preferred 
•  Technical background or engineering development background, preferred 
• Experience managing a Product Development Program from concept to launch, 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

• Continued Professional Development
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Vacation time
• 401 K 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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