Project Executive Jobs in Michigan
Project Executive jobs in Michigan are active across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with openings at every level from emerging project manager to senior executive overseeing multi-site portfolios. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor are the state's busiest hiring markets, where anchor employers such as Ford Motor Company, Beaumont Health, and Consumers Energy consistently bring project executives onto large capital and operational programs. Demand is strongest in infrastructure delivery, healthcare facilities development, and automotive manufacturing expansion. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Project Executive jobs
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 (https://www.blue-bird.com/).
JOB SUMMARY
The Executive Director, Project Management, Industrialization will lead manufacturing and production readiness for the next-generation F53/F59 chassis platform, integrating Plan for Every Part (PFEP), continuous improvement (CI), Lean manufacturing, and operational excellence into the industrialization plan. This role will coordinate facilities, tooling, equipment, materials flow, process capability, quality systems, workforce readiness, and production ramp to support Q1 2028 production within approved budget, schedule, safety, and quality requirements.
This is a hands-on role accountable for personally developing and maintaining detailed project plans, resolving plant-level execution issues, and influencing action across functions without direct reports. Responsibilities extend beyond launch to sustaining PFEP, improving operating performance, and developing repeatable manufacturing and supply chain practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Industrialization and production readiness
- Develop, document, and maintain the integrated industrialization plan, including milestones, dependencies, accountable owners, resource requirements, readiness criteria, and recovery actions.
- Drive production realization across facilities, tooling, equipment installation, line layout, manufacturing processes, quality readiness, staffing, training, materials management, and chassis shipping.
- Track capital milestones, budget commitments, capacity assumptions, process validation, and production ramp readiness; work with functional owners to close gaps and escalate decisions affecting launch.
- Work directly with plant teams to validate readiness on the production floor, resolve execution issues, and manage risks to safety, quality, cost, delivery, and business continuity.
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of PFEP with supply chain, materials, manufacturing engineering, and production teams, establishing data ownership and change controls that remain effective after launch.
- Ensure PFEP defines part requirements, supplier and lead-time information, packaging, storage locations, inventory parameters, replenishment methods, and point-of-use delivery requirements.
- Translate PFEP into practical receiving, storage, kitting, line-side delivery, and replenishment processes. Validate material availability and flow against production demand, space, handling, safety, and capacity requirements.
- Use PFEP data to identify and reduce shortages, excess inventory, unnecessary handling, and production interruptions; coordinate corrective actions with functional owners.
- Support the development of inbound and outbound logistics plans in collaboration with plant team members and third-party vendors, including delivery schedules, transportation capacity, staging, and finished chassis shipping, aligned with production demand and ramp requirements.
Continuous improvement Lean and operational excellence
- Develop and execute a prioritized CI and operational excellence roadmap that supports launch readiness and sustained performance after launch, with documented baselines, owners, milestones, and measurable benefits.
- Lead practical Lean initiatives, including value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management, line balancing, and structured problem-solving to improve safety, quality, productivity, material flow, and delivery.
- Facilitate improvement events and coach plant teams in root-cause analysis and corrective action. Establish follow-up routines and measures to confirm improvements are adopted and sustained.
- Document repeatable manufacturing and supply chain practices, lessons learned, and standard processes; support their application across other Blue Bird operations as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing launch, capital projects, equipment installation, process validation, quality readiness, workforce planning, and production ramp execution.
- Practical expertise in PFEP, material flow design, inventory management, replenishment systems, and integration of materials processes with production requirements.
- Ability to apply Lean and CI methods to solve operational problems and sustain measurable results.
- Ability to lead through influence, secure cross-functional commitments, resolve competing priorities, and escalate issues with clear recommendations.
- Strong planning, documentation, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to personally build and maintain detailed schedules, trackers, and performance reports.
- Ability to move between leadership discussions and detailed work on the production floor, adapting to changing requirements while maintaining accountability for results.
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field required.
- 10+ years of project management, manufacturing launch, industrialization, operations, plant engineering, or production readiness experience.
- 8+ years demonstrated experience implementing PFEP or comparable part-level materials planning systems and leading Lean, CI, or operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- 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.
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
WORK CONDITIONS
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.
#LI-Onsite
Experience
Required- 8 year(s): Demonstrated experience implementing PFEP or comparable part-level materials planning systems and leading Lean, CI, or operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment
- 10 year(s): Project management, manufacturing launch, industrialization, operations, plant engineering, or production readiness experience.
Education
Required- Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
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 (https://www.blue-bird.com/).
JOB SUMMARY
The Executive Director, Project Management, Industrialization will lead manufacturing and production readiness for the next-generation F53/F59 chassis platform, integrating Plan for Every Part (PFEP), continuous improvement (CI), Lean manufacturing, and operational excellence into the industrialization plan. This role will coordinate facilities, tooling, equipment, materials flow, process capability, quality systems, workforce readiness, and production ramp to support Q1 2028 production within approved budget, schedule, safety, and quality requirements.
This is a hands-on role accountable for personally developing and maintaining detailed project plans, resolving plant-level execution issues, and influencing action across functions without direct reports. Responsibilities extend beyond launch to sustaining PFEP, improving operating performance, and developing repeatable manufacturing and supply chain practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Industrialization and production readiness
- Develop, document, and maintain the integrated industrialization plan, including milestones, dependencies, accountable owners, resource requirements, readiness criteria, and recovery actions.
- Drive production realization across facilities, tooling, equipment installation, line layout, manufacturing processes, quality readiness, staffing, training, materials management, and chassis shipping.
- Track capital milestones, budget commitments, capacity assumptions, process validation, and production ramp readiness; work with functional owners to close gaps and escalate decisions affecting launch.
- Work directly with plant teams to validate readiness on the production floor, resolve execution issues, and manage risks to safety, quality, cost, delivery, and business continuity.
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of PFEP with supply chain, materials, manufacturing engineering, and production teams, establishing data ownership and change controls that remain effective after launch.
- Ensure PFEP defines part requirements, supplier and lead-time information, packaging, storage locations, inventory parameters, replenishment methods, and point-of-use delivery requirements.
- Translate PFEP into practical receiving, storage, kitting, line-side delivery, and replenishment processes. Validate material availability and flow against production demand, space, handling, safety, and capacity requirements.
- Use PFEP data to identify and reduce shortages, excess inventory, unnecessary handling, and production interruptions; coordinate corrective actions with functional owners.
- Support the development of inbound and outbound logistics plans in collaboration with plant team members and third-party vendors, including delivery schedules, transportation capacity, staging, and finished chassis shipping, aligned with production demand and ramp requirements.
Continuous improvement Lean and operational excellence
- Develop and execute a prioritized CI and operational excellence roadmap that supports launch readiness and sustained performance after launch, with documented baselines, owners, milestones, and measurable benefits.
- Lead practical Lean initiatives, including value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management, line balancing, and structured problem-solving to improve safety, quality, productivity, material flow, and delivery.
- Facilitate improvement events and coach plant teams in root-cause analysis and corrective action. Establish follow-up routines and measures to confirm improvements are adopted and sustained.
- Document repeatable manufacturing and supply chain practices, lessons learned, and standard processes; support their application across other Blue Bird operations as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing launch, capital projects, equipment installation, process validation, quality readiness, workforce planning, and production ramp execution.
- Practical expertise in PFEP, material flow design, inventory management, replenishment systems, and integration of materials processes with production requirements.
- Ability to apply Lean and CI methods to solve operational problems and sustain measurable results.
- Ability to lead through influence, secure cross-functional commitments, resolve competing priorities, and escalate issues with clear recommendations.
- Strong planning, documentation, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to personally build and maintain detailed schedules, trackers, and performance reports.
- Ability to move between leadership discussions and detailed work on the production floor, adapting to changing requirements while maintaining accountability for results.
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field required.
- 10+ years of project management, manufacturing launch, industrialization, operations, plant engineering, or production readiness experience.
- 8+ years demonstrated experience implementing PFEP or comparable part-level materials planning systems and leading Lean, CI, or operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- 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.
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
WORK CONDITIONS
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.
#LI-Onsite
Experience
Required- 8 year(s): Demonstrated experience implementing PFEP or comparable part-level materials planning systems and leading Lean, CI, or operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment
- 10 year(s): Project management, manufacturing launch, industrialization, operations, plant engineering, or production readiness experience.
Education
Required- Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 13 Project Executive Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Executive JobsProject Executive Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Executive Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project executive jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, or a related field required
- Ten or more years of progressive project management experience in a relevant Michigan industry
- PMP certification from the Project Management Institute strongly preferred by Michigan employers
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams on complex programs
- Strong familiarity with Michigan building codes, permitting processes, and local regulatory requirements
- Proficiency with project management platforms such as Procore, Microsoft Project, or Oracle Primavera
Project Executive Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project executive in Michigan?
Most project executives in Michigan build toward the role through a combination of a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or business and progressively senior project management experience. Michigan does not issue a state-specific project executive license, but many employers require or strongly prefer a Project Management Professional credential through the Project Management Institute. Professionals in construction-related roles may also benefit from credentials recognized by the Construction Management Association of America.
Which companies hire project executives in Michigan?
Employers hiring project executives in Michigan right now include Rinvio, Kustom US, and Amrize, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep manufacturing base, growing healthcare construction pipeline, and active infrastructure investment mean that large employers across multiple sectors maintain ongoing demand for experienced project executives.
Which Michigan cities have the most project executive jobs?
Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Denver account for the most project executive openings in Michigan. Detroit and its suburbs drive volume through automotive, healthcare, and infrastructure programs tied to major corporate and institutional employers, while Grand Rapids has emerged as a significant hub for manufacturing expansion and healthcare system growth that consistently requires senior project leadership.
Are there remote project executive jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they are uncommon. The project executive role is largely site-dependent, requiring regular presence with contractors, clients, and field teams, which limits full remote arrangements. About 50% of project executive openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to concentrate in program oversight, technology implementation, or corporate portfolio management functions where physical site presence is less critical.
How can I get hired as a project executive in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or assistant project manager role at a Michigan-based construction, engineering, or healthcare organization, where you build hands-on experience managing scopes, schedules, and budgets before stepping into executive responsibility. Large Michigan employers such as Barton Malow, Trinity Health, and DTE Energy run structured development programs and regularly promote from within. Earning a CAPM credential through the Project Management Institute while working in a coordinator or project engineer role accelerates that progression noticeably.
Where can I find and apply to project executive jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to project executive jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Michigan employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to the positions that fit your experience level and preferred location within the state.
See All 13 Project Executive Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Executive Jobs