Quality Assurance Manager, Fabrication

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.

The Quality Assurance Manager leads Fabrication Quality to ensure products, processes, and systems meet Blue Bird, customer, engineering, regulatory, and QMS requirements.

This role partners with Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and other leaders to improve product and process quality.

The position is accountable for QMS effectiveness, quality performance, defect reduction, corrective action, audits, employee development, and continuous improvement, with a focus on prevention and quality at the source.

• →Lead and develop the Fabrication Quality organization.
• →Set expectations, accountability, performance objectives, and development plans for the Quality team.
• →Own plant quality performance, including DPU, PPM, First Pass Yield, defects, scrap, rework, customer concerns, and Cost of Poor Quality.
• →Lead cross-functional root-cause analysis and corrective action for recurring or significant quality issues using structured problem-solving tools.
• →Lead MRB, nonconforming material control, containment, disposition, documentation, and timely issue resolution.
• →Own FAI and quality validation for new products, engineering changes, tooling changes, supplier changes, and process changes.
• →Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to align PFMEAs, Control Plans, specifications, work instructions, inspection standards, and manufacturing processes.
• →Maintain the Fabrication QMS, procedures, work instructions, records, documentation, and processes to support ISO 9001 compliance.

• Ability to lead, coach, and develop supervisors, technical personnel, and hourly Quality team members.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, PFMEA, Control Plans, FAI, MRB, audits, inspection systems, and quality planning.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including RCA, 8D, ICA, PCA, 5-Why, Fishbone, corrective action, and prevention.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, or related technical discipline preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive Quality and/or Manufacturing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of direct leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing a manufacturing Quality function or significant portions of a plant Quality Management System.
• 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.

• Six Sigma, Lean, ASQ, or equivalent Quality certification and/or formal training preferred.

• 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.

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

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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