HR Generalist

Blue Bird Corporation; Fort Valley (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continued Professional Development

Benefits package (medical, dental, and

401k matching

Job summary

Blue Bird Corporation in Georgia is seeking a results-driven HR Generalist with 5+ years of experience supporting manufacturing and operations environments.

You will partner with leaders to drive workforce planning, talent management, employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives, using HR analytics to support business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field.
• 5+ years HR generalist experience in manufacturing/operations.
• US citizenship or permanent resident; able to provide employment eligibility.
• Labor relations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations and supply chain to support workforce planning and organizational effectiveness.
• Advise managers on employee relations, policy interpretation, and performance management.
• Administer union and non-union workplace matters, CBAs, and grievance resolution.
• Conduct workplace investigations on attendance, performance, misconduct, harassment, and policy violations.
• Support recruitment for hourly production and maintenance roles to reduce time-to-fill.
• Lead onboarding programs to improve retention and workforce readiness.
• Generate HR metrics (headcount, turnover, absenteeism) to inform decisions.
• Administer leave programs including FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, and leave policies.
• Deliver training on policies, labor relations, workplace conduct, and leadership.
• Serve as HRIS SME and support system enhancements, audits, reporting and process improvements.

Skills

Labor relations

Influencing skills

Analytical skills

Business acumen

Project management

Advanced communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Master's degree in HR (preferred)

Tools

HRIS

Job description

About Blue Bird Corporation

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

Results-driven Human Resources Generalist with 5+ years of experience supporting manufacturing and operations environments. Proven ability to partner with business leaders to drive workforce planning, talent management, employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Experienced in supporting union and non-union workforces, conducting workplace investigations, managing employee engagement programs, ensuring compliance with labor and employment laws, and utilizing HR analytics to support business decisions. Recognized for building strong relationships with operations leadership, employees, and union representatives while driving positive organizational outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with operations and supply chain leadership to support workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and business growth initiatives.
• Advise managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, policy interpretation, corrective actions, and performance management processes.
• Support unionized and non-union workforces by administering collective bargaining agreements, addressing employee concerns, and assisting with grievance resolution.
• Conduct workplace investigations involving attendance, performance, misconduct, harassment, and policy violations while ensuring compliance with company policies and employment regulations.
• Support recruitment efforts for hourly production, skilled trades and maintenance positions, reducing time-to-fill and improving candidate quality.
• Facilitate onboarding programs that improve new hire integration, employee retention, and workforce readiness.
• Generate and analyze HR metrics including headcount, turnover, absenteeism, recruiting effectiveness, retention, and workforce demographics to support business decisions.
• Administer employee leave programs including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, and company leave policies.
• Deliver training to supervisors and employees on company policies, labor relations, workplace conduct, and leadership development.
• Serve as HRIS subject matter expert and support system enhancements, audits, reporting, and process improvements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Experience in labor relations is preferred
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to drive change across organization
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Demonstrated business acumen: aware of the bottom-line impact of initiatives; able to prioritize on basis of cost and financial trade-offs
• Strong operational bias in the context of an ability to see the ‘big picture
• Strong project management skillset, with focus on streamlining process and/or creating new processes; ability to establish project plan timelines, milestones and execute them on time and within budget
• Advanced communication skills with the ability to independently interact with all levels of management
• Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with business leadership, union officials and HR team

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field
• 5+ years HR generalist experience
• 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 EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Human Resources or related field, a plus
• Experience in Labor Relations, 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 to 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
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

WORK CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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

*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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