Senior Purchasing Category Specialist

Senior Purchasing Category Specialist

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.

Job Summary : Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the Senior Purchasing Category Specialist is responsible for managing the procurement process to ensure the timely acquisition of goods and services. This position requires a keen eye for detail, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers. The Senior Purchasing Category Specialist is responsible for sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, managing inventory levels, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and relevant regulations. This role is crucial in optimizing costs, mitigating risks, and maintaining efficient supply chain operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Managing multiple suppliers and strategies in the FAB team.
• Conducting market research and supplier evaluations to identify potential suppliers
• Developing and implementing sourcing strategies to optimize cost, quality and delivery
• Negotiating contracts and terms with suppliers to ensure favorable pricing terms
• Managing supplier relationships and performance to drive continuous improvement
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand sourcing needs and requirements
• Monitoring market trends and industry development to identify opportunities for movement.
• Developing cost control, change control, and parts and service support for goods and services procured
• Ensuring the resolution of CSR and STR cases in an expedited manner
• Identifying and assigning cost analysis and assess impacts of supplier cost files
• LN part set-up, PDR creation, and enter approved cost changes
• LN part updates, PMO / PLM assistance / liaison to OE engineering
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Education and Experience Required :

Preferred Experience :

We Value :

Includes :

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.

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.