What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Purchasing Category Specialist position at Blue Bird?
About Blue Bird
">Blue Bird is a technology leader and innovator of school buses. Our dedicated team designs, engineers, and manufactures school buses with a focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry 25 million children twice a day, making them the most trusted mode of student transportation.
">Job Summary:
">The Senior Purchasing Category Specialist reports to the Purchasing Manager and is responsible for managing the procurement process to ensure timely acquisition of goods and services. This position requires a keen eye for detail, strong negotiation skills, and ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
">Key Responsibilities:
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- Manage multiple suppliers and strategies in the FAB team. ">
- Conduct market research and supplier evaluations to identify potential suppliers. ">
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize cost, quality, and delivery. ">
- Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to ensure favorable pricing terms. ">
- Manage supplier relationships and performance to drive continuous improvement. ">
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand sourcing needs and requirements. ">
- Monitor market trends and industry development to identify opportunities for movement. ">
- Develop cost control, change control, and parts and service support for goods and services procured. ">
- Ensure the resolution of CSR and STR cases in an expedited manner. ">
- Identify and assign 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. ">
Requirements:
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- Knowledge of the commercial truck/automotive market. ">
- Experience in FAB, steel, and metals purchasing. ">
- Able to accomplish basic financial analysis, supplier selection, and approval. ">
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. ">
- Able to perform in high-stress, fast-paced environment. ">
- Working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased. ">
- Proficiency in MS Office applications. ">
Education and Experience:
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- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Finance. ">
- Minimum of 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience. ">
- 7 years equivalent experience without a degree. ">
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We Value:
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- 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 compensation details in a clear manner. ">
- Flexible workspaces and work hours that help you unleash the best you. ">
- Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives. ">
Includes:
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- Continued Professional Development. ">
- Benefits including medical, dental, and eye insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time, and 401k with match. ">
