Buyer, MRO

Australian Blue Bird Brand Pty Ltd; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

14 paid holidays

Vacation time

401k with match

Job summary

Blue Bird seeks a Buyer, MRO to coordinate procurement and distribution for maintenance, repair, and operations goods and services. You will manage the end-to-end PO lifecycle, streamline methods, and resolve invoice discrepancies.

You will lead sourcing, evaluate bids, negotiate terms, and work with legal to finalize vendor agreements. You’ll also monitor tool crib and drive process improvements across departments to support production timelines.

Qualifications

• Analytical ability to identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Strong written and verbal communication to align suppliers and internal units.
• Multitask, prioritize urgent requests, and thrive in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Purchase Order Management: Execute, convert, and manage PO revisions using LN and B-BOND systems.
• Contract Administration: Implement and oversee contracts for indirect goods and services.
• Supplier Lifecycle Management: Onboard new suppliers, evaluate vendor performance, drive cost-savings.
• Inventory & Logistics Oversight: Monitor tool crib and logistics for optimal stock levels.
• Financial & Pricing Verification: Review bids, verify pricing, resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as internal Super User for indirect commodities and lead process improvements.

Skills

Analytical Aptitude

Communication & Partnership

Execution & Agility

Sourcing Excellence

Technical Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or Business Related field

Tools

Excel

Procurement platforms

Job description

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD)isrecognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design,engineerand manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world –25 million childrentwice 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 Senior Manager,Purchasing, the Buyer, MRO coordinates and supports procurement and distribution activities for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) goods, building maintenance, tools, and indirect services supporting the Thunderbird program and Troy operations. This role focuses on streamlining procurement methods, managing the end-to-end purchase order (PO) lifecycle, and resolving invoice discrepancies.

The successful candidate will lead sourcing activities, evaluate bid proposals, negotiate commercial terms, and collaborate with legal tofinalizevendor agreements. This role also serves as the procurement Super User for indirect commodities, monitors tool crib andlogisticsactivity, and drives continuous process improvements across multiple departments to support production timelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Purchase Order Management: Execute, convert, and manage PO revisionsutilizingLN and B-BOND systems;expeditedeliveries to ensure critical project and production timelines are met.
• Contract Administration: Implement and oversee contracts for indirect goods and services, ensuring all administration procedures are executed accurately andin a timely manner.
• Supplier Lifecycle Management: Process new supplier onboarding requests, evaluate vendor performance, andleveragestrong supplier relationships to drive cost-savings initiatives.
• Inventory & Logistics Oversight: Monitor tool crib andlogisticsactivity to ensureoptimalstock levels of critical operational and maintenance supplies.
• Financial & Pricing Verification: Review incoming bid proposals, verify pricing on indirect purchases, and resolve invoice price discrepancies directly with accounting and vendors.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the internal Super User for indirect commodities, partnering with multiple internal departments to spearhead procurement process improvements.

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLSAND ABILITIESFOR SUCCESS

• Analytical Aptitude: Ability to perform basic financial and data analysis toidentifycost-reduction opportunities.
• Communication & Partnership: Strong written and verbal communication skills tomaintainalignment between suppliers and internal business units.
• Execution & Agility: Proven ability to multitask, prioritize urgent requests, and thrive in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Sourcing Excellence: Capability to effectively evaluate, select, negotiate with, and approve qualified MRO vendors.
• Technical Skills:Proficiencyin Microsoft Excel (data tracking) and modern enterprise procurement platforms.

BASICEDUCATION ANDEXPERIENCEREQUIRED

• Bachelor degreein Supply Chain or BusinessRelated field,required
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience workingin purchasing, materials management, planning, or an indirect procurement role.
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates mustbe authorized towork in the United States and willbe requiredto provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Previousexperience with LN,preferred
• Prior experience managing contract negotiations and vendor service level agreements,preferred

WE VALUE

• Ability toanticipateand understand customer needs and provide guidance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills.Exposure todifficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible workspaces and workhours thathelp you unleash thebestyou.
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporateobjectives.

INCLUDES

• Benefits including medical, dental andvisioninsurance, 14 paid holidays, vacationtimeand 401k with match

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. Theyrepresenttypical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisionson the basis ofmerit.We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge,Skillsand Aabilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable lawsprovidingequal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to allpersonsinvolved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates mustbe authorized towork in the United States and willbe requiredto provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

#LI-Onsite

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

Experience

Required

3 years:

Experience working in purchasing, materials management, planning, or an indirect procurement role

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.