Quality Assurance Manager, Fabrication

Blue Bird South
6144 US-341
Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA

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,  .

JOB SUMMARY

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

FOR SUCCESS

• 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.

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 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.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

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