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
Reporting to the Executive Director, Finance; this role is responsible for controlling the budget and spend for building a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fort Valley, GA. Key responsibilities include managing project finances, tracking budget vs actuals; monitoring expenditures; submitting invoices, reports and financial documents to federal agencies in a timely manner; maintaining project cost records; reporting financial performance and progress to key stakeholders; presenting project updates and financial insights to management; facilitating project related financial reviews and audits; supporting cost reduction initiatives and annual forecasts/AOP.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage project finances by tracking budget vs actuals; monitoring project-related expenditures and transactions (purchase requisitions, invoices, etc.); maintaining financial records; and ensuring financial compliance with organizational and federal guidelines
- Submit invoices, expense reports, monthly/quarterly reports and other documents to federal agencies in a timely manner
- Support the project team in identifying potential risks that may impact project timeline or budget and work with the team in developing strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring that the project progresses smoothly
- Implement robust tracking mechanisms to monitor project progress and milestones from a financial perspective; Communicate project health and financial performance against budget to all key stakeholders regularly
- Generate comprehensive reports on project performance, financial status, and potential risks or deviations from the plan/budget
- Facilitate project financial reviews, audits and ensure adherence to applicable accounting principles
- Perform other related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Experience with budgeting, financial planning and reporting, project controlling; project management
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present complex data to a wide variety of stakeholders
- Ability to reconcile large data sets and intermediate to advanced level skills in MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Business Intelligence reporting tools
- Intermediate to Advanced skills in Excel; BI reporting tools; ability to reconcile and present complex data and collaborate cross-functionally
- Ability to prioritize and perform in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Must be organized and detail-oriented
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to thrive in a team-based environment
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal customers
- Continuously perform to high ethical standards and those established from an Internal Controls/Legal perspective
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in business (Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field); MBA preferred
- 5+ years of experience in a project controller, FP&A, manufacturing finance or corporate finance roles
- 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
- Experience working for a manufacturing company
- Experience working with federal and state government agencies
- Experience working with external auditors and 3rd party consultant firms
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
*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. Experience Required Experience in a project controller, FP&A, manufacturing finance or corporate finance roles Equal Opportunity EmployerThis 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
- Five or more years of experience in project controlling, FP&A, manufacturing finance, or corporate finance
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Authorization to work in the United States and ability to provide employment eligibility documentation
- MBA
- Experience working for a manufacturing company
- Experience working with federal and state government agencies
- Experience working with external auditors and third-party consulting firms
Blue Bird Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Blue Bird and has not been reviewed or approved by Blue Bird.
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Pay Growth & Progression — The 2024 collective bargaining agreement delivered meaningful wage increases for covered hourly employees, with larger boosts at the lowest pay bands. Subsequent contractual provisions point to a structurally improved earnings path for many production roles.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime availability and profit sharing lift overall earnings potential, particularly in production settings. The contract formalized profit sharing and added financial provisions that enhance variable pay.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Roth option and an employer match is offered, and the union agreement introduced a defined‑contribution retirement plan for covered workers. Company materials indicate employer contributions are part of the total rewards package.
Blue Bird Insights
What We Do
About Us Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,600 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Our Promise We are singularly focused on building and selling school buses that customers want and value. The safety of schoolchildren is at the center of all that we do and we will strive every day, just as we have since our beginning in 1927, to provide an unparalleled and affordable product in terms of safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We will be easy to do business with, responsive to our customers' wants and needs, and provide prompt after-sale support in parts and service through a professional, high-qualified distribution network. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. What We Stand For We come to work every day with one common goal, to design, build, sell and service the world's finest school bus. That's what we do - no distractions, no competing priorities. We are heirs to a rich legacy, one of listening to our customers, embracing their needs, and delivering innovations that lead the market. We commit ourselves to four driving priorities - safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We embody the interests of every child that rides us, every driver that drives us, every service technician that services us and every district that buys us. More than a business, this work is our heritage, and we have been at it since 1927 - that's purpose driven.
