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 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. 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

The Human Resources Partner will provide general human resources services with an emphasis on Labor Relations at our factory in Fort Valley, GA. This role serves as a trusted advisor and partner to business leaders across the client group and is accountable for the delivery of human resource services and programs.  This individual must demonstrate working knowledge of employee relations, HR process management, risk management and other recognized human resources competencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organization Alignment: Support Operations & Supply Chain in growth efforts; ensure organization structure aligns with business needs; act as change agent in support of business needs
• Talent Management: Accountable for employee development, including conducting talent reviews, creating succession plans; proactively managing talent process: hires, promotions, development of key talent, mentoring, development/execution of training needs, etc.
• Performance Management– Work with leadership to deliver objective setting, annual performance appraisals, ratings calibration, performance development plans and performance improvement plans, where needed
• Recruitment: Manage/partner with recruiting team recruitment strategy for Operations & Supply Chain; directly support internal placements and external recruiting as required; develop strategies to attract key talent across the business
• Employee Relations: Provide sound judgment in employee relation matters; develop employee engagement initiatives to attract, retain and engage employees

• HR Analytics: Provide HR reporting for key organization metrics: headcount, hires, turnover, time to fill positions, as well as internal metrics such as cost per hire, ad source effectiveness, etc. Provide HR Analytics regarding workforce demographics and progress on key HR initiatives, such as Talent Management and Engagement
• HR Systems: Be proficient in all HR Systems, with ability to serve as a Super User
• Compensation: Partner with Operations & Supply Chain leadership to ensure annual processes are executed (Merit, STIP) in a timely manner and consistent with the Pay for Performance guidelines; ensure new hire and internal salary actions are executed in fair, consistent, competitive and equitable manner.
• Benefits: Partner with Operations & Supply Chain leadership and Benefits team to ensure annual Open Enrollment process is executed in a timely manner; maintain working knowledge of benefit designs in order to respond to employee questions and recruitment of candidates

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Strong influencing skills and the ability to drive change across organization
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Demonstrated business acumen: aware of bottom-line impact of initiatives; able to prioritize on basis of cost and financial trade-offs
• Strong operational bias in the context of an ability to see the ‘big picture
• Strong project management skillset, with focus on streamlining process and/or creating new processes; ability to establish project plan timelines, milestones and execute them on time and within budget
• Advanced communication skills with the ability to independently interact with all levels of management
• Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with business leadership, union officials and HR team

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
  • Experience dependent upon educational background.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or JD a plus
• 5+ years HR generalist experience
• 3+ years HR generalist in a manufacturing facility
• Experience working within a unionized environment

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 that 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 eye insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k with match

*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’s winning culture is fueled by our ability to respect, encourage, celebrate and embrace the unique perspectives of all of our employees.  We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer who is committed to providing all of our employees with a work environment free of discrimination or harassment.  We base our employment decisions on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, national, social or ethnic origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.  

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.