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 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. 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. 

We are pleased to share that we have an exciting career opportunity for an experienced Planning Team Leader as part a key member of the Blue Bird Planning Team.  This role is crucial for ensuring the timely availability of materials necessary for production, thereby maintaining workflow efficiency and meeting production targets. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in material planning, inventory control, and team leadership.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director, Cycle Count & DRP, this role is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the materials planning department, ensuring that materials required for production are available in a timely and cost-efficient manner. This position involves managing and optimizing inventory levels, forecasting material needs, coordinating with suppliers, and aligning material availability with production schedules. The ideal candidate will lead a team of planners, collaborate with cross-functional teams including procurement and production, and drive continuous improvement in material planning processes. This role is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and supporting the company’s strategic objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of Planners and ensure objectives are met within their assigned supplier/commodity, assist with solutions to supply constraints, and provide ongoing training and development to support key objectives
• Schedule, plan, and monitor scheduled deliveries through MRP system and communicate directly with suppliers to ensure parts are delivered on time to avoid supply disruptions
• Lead ownership of supply chain for all inbound material, freight tracking, deviations, interfacing with Engineering and Purchasing to avoid shortages and seek solutions to potential shortages.
• Manage purchased parts and manufactured fabrication inventory to reduce on-hand value, increase inventory turns, prevent shortages, and resolve potential shortages and seek alternate solutions to avoid Supply Chain disruptions and line shortages with Engineering, Purchasing and Supplier(s)
• Provide Supplier training in use of Parts123 portal (ASN’s, Past due orders, order acceptance, etc.)
• Maintaining clean unit targets individually and for the team
• Responsible for setting selection codes for all manufactured parts
• Provide backup support for team members and other special assignments as directed
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of MRP or equivalent material planning system with focus on fabrication and work orders
• Working knowledge of a manufacturing system; commercial truck/automotive market preferred
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels and organizations within the company as well as with outside vendors
• Proficiency in MS Office applications

EDUCATION AND EXPEREINCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in material planning or supply chain management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proficient with ERP systems, specifically in the materials management module.

WORKING 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.)

• Mainly office environment, occasional exposure to noise and adverse conditions of manufacturing environment
• Fast paced work environment with rapidly changing objectives
• Ability to work and/or follow-up on special situations, during weekend, after shift hours, evenings and holidays as needed

*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’s winning culture is fueled by our ability to respect, encourage, celebrate and embrace the unique perspectives of all of our employees.  We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer who is committed to providing all of our employees with a work environment free of discrimination or harassment.  We base our employment decisions on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, national, social or ethnic origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.  

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.