Senior Director, Project Management

Blue Bird Corporation; Michigan; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

14 paid holidays

Vacation time

401k matching

Job summary

Blue Bird Corporation in Michigan is seeking a Sr Director of Project Management to lead the end-to-end PMO for the Chassis Business Unit as the company advances the next generation medium-duty F53/F59 stripped chassis.

This leader will translate strategic opportunity into an integrated operating plan delivering a successful launch on time, on budget, with product and people continuity, competitive price, delivery, and quality.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, cross-functional programs with executive-level visibility.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage program budgets.
• Proven stakeholder management and governance discipline.
• Experience in commercial vehicles or manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated program management structure across design, procurement, manufacturing, sales, marketing, service, dealer readiness, IT infrastructure, customer continuity, and business launch readiness.
• Own the overall master project plan, governance cadence, milestone discipline, risk register, escalation process, KPI dashboard, and cross-functional decision-making forum.
• Ensure seamless collaboration with Ford, Detroit Chassis Products, Body Builders internal leaders, engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, legal, HR, sales, IT, service, and dealer network stakeholders.
• Drive launch readiness for Q1 2028 production, including backlog readiness, product continuity, quality expectations, chassis-related certification, and customer transition plans.
• Establish and monitor with finance a mechanism to manage product costs throughout development to ensure acceptable returns.
• Coordinate all project workstreams to protect budget commitments, capital investment plans, resource allocation, and profitability.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations, supply chain, or a related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

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, visitwww.blue-bird.com .

JOB SUMMARY

The Sr Director, Project Management will lead the end-to-end program management office for the Blue Bird Chassis Business Unit as Blue Bird assumes design, manufacturing, sales, and service responsibility for the next generation medium-duty F53/F59 stripped chassis. This leader will translate the strategic opportunity into an integrated operating plan that delivers a successful launch with backlog, on time, on budget, with product and people continuity, competitive price, delivery, and quality, acceptable customer and dealer experience, retained critical talent where economically viable, acceptable returns, and a sustainable business model.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and lead the integrated program management structure for the chassis business unit across design, procurement, industrialization, manufacturing transition, sales, marketing, service, dealer readiness, IT infrastructure, customer continuity, and business launch readiness.
• Own the overall master project plan, governance cadence, milestone discipline, risk register, escalation process, KPI dashboard, and cross-functional decision-making forum.
• Ensure seamless collaboration with Ford, Detroit Chassis Products, Body Builders internal business leaders, engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, legal, HR, sales, IT, service, and dealer network stakeholders.
• Drive launch readiness for Q1 2028 production, including backlog readiness, product continuity, quality expectations, chassis related certification, customer transition plans, and scalable long-term operating processes.
• Establish and monitor with finance a mechanism to manage product costs throughout the development to ensure acceptable returns.
• Coordinate all project workstreams to protect budget commitments, capital investment plans, resource allocation, commercial commitments, customer experience, and sustainable profitability.
• Lead the three director-level project management roles, ensuring clear accountabilities, issue resolution, aligned priorities, and executive-level visibility.
• Provide concise executive updates to the business unit leader and senior leadership team on progress, risks, decisions required, and critical path dependencies.
• Integrated launch plan delivered on time and on budget.
• Clear governance model with disciplined milestone tracking, executive visibility, and rapid escalation of risks.
• Continuity for customers, dealers, builders, fleets, products, people, and service support.
• Business positioned for expanded total addressable market growth, technology leverage, platform scalability, and sustainable returns.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Demonstrated experience leading large, cross-functional programs with executive-level visibility, external partner coordination, capital investment oversight, and complex launch timelines.
• Strong financial acumen, communication skills, stakeholder management capability, and discipline in risk management and project governance.

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, operations, supply chain, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive program management, product launch, operations, engineering, or business transformation experience, preferably in commercial vehicles, automotive, manufacturing, or industrial products.
• 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.

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

• 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.

LI-Onsite

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

Experience

Required

10 years:

Progressive program management, product launch, operations, engineering, or business transformation experience, preferably in commercial vehicles, automotive, manufacturing, or industrial products.

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.