Careers
Who Are We?
Sonny Merryman is one of the nation’s leading bus & people-moving equipment companies. Our vehicles transport students and the community across Virginia and as well as other states across the country. We’re a small business but a big fish in our respective pond as Virginia’s largest and most experienced bus company and one of the most respected and successful dealerships in the country. Our team of nearly 200 employees works across our four locations in Central Virginia (Evington/Lynchburg), Greater Richmond (Ashland), Hampton Roads (Chesapeake), and Northern Virginia (Bristow/Manassas). We love to help our Customers when problems arise, and our employees would tell you that we appreciate each other and treat our fellow coworkers with respect. Put simply: we’re a bus company, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll understand we’re much more than that.
Take a glimpse into what it means to be part of Team Sonny.
What Do We Do?
We are a bus dealership that sells, services, and provides parts for school buses and commercial buses used to transport community members. Besides buses, we have supporting business units that sell trailers, rent storage containers, provide parts services to city garages, and we even operate a collection of local Napa stores.
Why Be a Part of Team Sonny?
There’s a reason many of our employees have 10+ years of service on Team Sonny. Here are a few to consider:
- Our Culture. It’s what we call the “Sonny Merryman Way,” and it has a very specific recipe that all comes down to the ingredients – our core values. We’re a company that believes in taking care of our customers as well as our team.
- Competitive Pay. We believe in a livable, fair market wage for all of our employees.
- Paid Time Off. Full time employees immediately start accruing time upon hire; that’s in addition to the seven paid holidays.
- Medical and Prescription / Dental Coverage. Multiple plans are available for you as well as your family at competitive monthly premiums.
- Employee-Stock Ownership Plan. It’s a company retirement plan our employees don’t pay a single dollar into but rather are awarded simply for their continued years of service.
- Optional 401K. In addition to our ESOP, we also provide employees with a 401k program.
- Growth and Advancement. We’re a team that wants to be better today than we were yesterday. We grow as a team as well as individuals.
- Security. Last but by all means certainly not least – job security. We keep good people for an awfully long time. Founded in 1967, we are a trusted partner of the transportation community and work hard to maintain and continue to earn the loyal business of our customers.
Sonny Merryman Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.
Think you’re a good fit for our team?
Click the button below to fill out our preliminary employment interest form and one of our team members will contact you.
Career Openings
Commercial Vehicle SERVICE Technician
Multiple Openings: Central Virginia center (Evington, VA), Northern Virginia center (Bristow, VA), Greater Richmond center (Ashland, VA) | Full-time, 1st shift, Mon-Fri.
If you like to work on big stuff that transports our future and our community, we may be a match.
Read MoreWho Are You?
You are motivated to help others. You like to think problems through and come up with creative solutions. You have a good sense of humor and like to have fun. You like a brisk work pace and enjoy pleasing a Customer. You’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and do what needs to get done. You are honest and tend to smile a lot more than you frown (or scowl). You like to be treated as an adult and be afforded the opportunity to get your job done.
Please do not apply if…
- You enjoy drama and gossip. We just don’t have time for that!
- Nothing is your fault. We love to “own it” – and mistakes are the best way to learn!
- You like a large “corporate” work environment. We like to give you enough rope to run on your own, then eliminate the rope.
- You want someone asking you every hour “when is that job going to get done?”
What kind of stuff will I be doing?
You will be inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing all systems found a modern medium/heavy duty vehicle, as well as diesel engine.
What experience or qualifications do you need?
- Former related experience required.
- Tools necessary to perform the common duties of the position.
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form and one of our team members will contact you.
Assistant trailer shop manager
Sonny Merryman Central VA Location (Evington, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreApplicant should have:
- Working knowledge and ability to diagnose/ repair air, electrical, suspension and brake systems on semi trailers
- Basic computer skills
Skills that would be a plus:
- ASE Certification
- CDL License
- VA Inspection License
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form or submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.
Trailer Shop Mechanic
Sonny Merryman Central VA Location (Evington, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreApplicant should have:
- Working knowledge and ability to diagnose/ repair air, electrical, suspension and brake systems on semi trailers
- Basic computer skills
Skills that would be a plus:
- Basic Welding/ fabrication skills
- Va Inspection license
- ASE Certification
- CDL License
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form or submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.
MARKETING SPECIALIST
Sonny Merryman Central VA Location (Evington, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreSonny Merryman is one of the nation’s most respected and successful bus and transit/van dealerships serving a wide array of customers. We’re seeking a Marketing Specialist to join our team and play a key role in our company. If you’re a creative and dynamic marketing professional with a desire to make a significant contribution, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
The Marketing Specialist plays a pivotal role in crafting and implementing strategies aimed at amplifying brand recognition, fostering customer engagement, and bolstering overall business goals. Collaborating closely with multiple division teams—including school bus, commercial bus, used bus, parts & service, trailers, containers, NAPA, City Fleet, and human resources—this role involves developing and executing impactful strategies.
This multifaceted professional is expected to possess a unique blend of visionary organizational skills capable of navigating the broader business landscape, coupled with hands-on marketing expertise encompassing design, copywriting/editing, photography, and event planning.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop Marketing Strategies: Formulate comprehensive marketing plans aligned with company goals, target audience, and market trends.
- Content Creation: Design, write, and create campaign multimedia collateral, such as flyers, presentations, displays, promotional items, news stories, press releases, social graphics/posts, e-blasts, newsletters, etc.
- Event & Conference Planning: Design, plan, and coordinate all company-hosted events and workshops as well as company participation in industry events and conferences.
- Social Media Management: Manage social media platforms, create engaging content, and interact with the audience to foster a loyal following.
- Website Maintenance & Development: Maintain up-to-date content as well as create new content and features for the company web platforms, including the public website and internal company portal.
- Internal Branding: Support human resources initiatives to cultivate a positive company culture and experience for employees
- Campaign Management: Create, manage, and optimize marketing campaigns across various channels (digital, social media, email, etc.) to maximize reach and engagement as well as prepare reporting.
- Brand Management: Maintain brand consistency across all marketing initiatives and communication channels.
- Budget Management: Assist in the oversight of marketing expenditures and adherence to departmental budget.
- Department Administration Support: Maintain the department calendar, project and file management, and customer database.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Strong copywriting and editing skills. This individual will be responsible for writing text for marketing and communication initiatives.
- Comprehensive graphic design skills. This person will be responsible for designing all graphics, layouts, and multimedia elements for marketing initiatives. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud software, specifically Indesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, is essential for success in this position. In addition, experience with Canva is a plus.
- Fundamental grasp of website management. This individual will be responsible for basic updates to website content, structure, and settings, ensuring its smooth operation and user-friendliness. It’s a plus if you have experience with WordPress website management!
- Familiarity with social platforms. This individual will be responsible for maintaining profiles and content across company social platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram. Business/company profile management experience on these platforms, as well as the social media management tool, Social Sprout, is required.
- Experience with MailChimp. This individual will write, craft, and design all multi-media elements for our email blasts. Experience with MailChimp or similar platform is required.
- Adaptable and eager learner. Our teams pride ourselves on taking on new challenges and figuring things out. We’re big DIY’ers and expect our new teammate to do the same.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field. Plus a minimum of 2 years of work-experience in marketing, communications or related field.
- Do these words describe you? Self-starter, creative, multi-tasker, self-reliant, organized, detail-oriented, jack-of-all-trades, excellent written and verbal communicator, team player. These characteristics are a must to be successful in this position.
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form or submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.
eV CHARGER SPECIALIST
Sonny Merryman Central VA Location (Evington, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreOverview:
The Field Support Technician (FST) is passionate about EVs and a self-starter who will work closely with Sonny Merryman’s customers to ensure that their electric vehicle charging stations are running properly and that their buses can get students where they need to be. No day will look the same, but responsibilities will include performing original equipment manufacturer-approved testing, troubleshooting customer issues, and repairing a broad range of equipment (including Level 2 EV chargers to DC Fast Chargers, and communications equipment). The FST reports to Sonny Merryman’s VP of Parts and Service, with input from the EV Charger Manager.
Expectations/Responsibility:
EV charger specialist is responsible for supporting the uptime of chargers at our Customer’s site throughout the life of the project. Uptime can be maximized through Customer training on proper charger use, coordination and data collection for charger OEM’s when defects occur, and hands on problem solving through OEM guidance, training, and experience.
Qualifications:
- 1+ years of related work experience
- High school diploma or GED
- Comfort with electrical systems ranging from 12V to 120+ systems
- Strong technical capabilities
- Has driver’s license and is able to travel domestically
- Ability to troubleshoot and solve mechanical and electrical problems
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
- Self-starter with the ability to multitask, prioritize assignments and work independently
- High focus on safety and customer service
- Competent in operating hand tools and electrical tools and measurement devices
- Familiarity with solar, EV chargers, power supply, batteries, high voltage, etc. is a plus
- Flexibility to be on-call during off-hours and weekends (when on scheduled shift)
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form or submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.
OUTSIDE PARTS SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Sonny Merryman Hampton Roads Location (Chesapeake, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreIf you’re good at making friends and enjoy new scenery each day, this may be the career you’ve been looking for.
Who Are We?
Sonny Merryman is Virginia’s Bus Company. Our vehicles transport students and the community. We’re a small, family-owned and employee-owned business that started south of Lynchburg, and now has additional locations in greater Richmond, Chesapeake and Northern Virginia. We love to help our Customers when problems arise, and our employees would tell you that we appreciate each other and treat our fellow coworkers with respect.
What Do We Do?
We are a bus dealership that sells, services, and provides parts for school buses and commercial buses used to transport community members. Besides buses, we have supporting business units that sell trailers, rent storage containers, provide parts services to city garages, and we even operate a collection of local Napa stores.
Who Are You?
You are motivated to help others. You’re able to keep yourself accountable to a schedule and various tasks with little oversight. Carrying a conversation and building relationships comes easy to you. Using Microsoft products, such as Outlook, Teams, and Word, is a breeze for you, and you feel confident navigating a computer and cell phone. You are honest and tend to smile a lot more than you frown (or scowl). You like to be treated as an adult and be afforded the opportunity to get your job done.
What kind of stuff will I be doing?
As a Sonny Merryman Outside Parts Sales Representative, you’ll be assigned a sales territory within the state of Virginia. Most of your days will be spent making in-person visits to Customers in your territory to collect parts orders, make parts deliveries, and talk with them to see how things are going and how we can continue to assist them. You’ll also help pass along information to Customers, such as invitations to workshops and new product offerings, as well as assist Customers with online account set-up, training, and continued support. When you’re not on the road visiting Customers, you’ll work from our Headquarters in Evington, VA offering support to customers via email and phone as well as working with the internal parts team on various tasks.
What experience and/or knowledge do I need?
- Commercial vehicle or automotive parts experience is a plus but is not required.
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form and one of our team members will contact you.
pARTS DELIVERY/WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE
Sonny Merryman Northern VA Location (Bristow, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.
Read MoreOverview:
Pull parts from customer’s orders, load van for delivery, deliver parts to customer in a timely manner, receive and put-up stock in warehouse.
Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license
- Minimum of 21 years of age
- Able to lift at least 50 lbs
- Customer friendly
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form and one of our team members will contact you.
CDL Delivery drivers
Sonny Merryman Central VA Location (Evington, VA) | Part time, Mon-Fri.
If you like bringing a smile to Customers’ faces every day and taking in the beautiful views of Virginia, this may be a perfect fit.
Read MoreWho Are You?
You love a good road trip and enjoy taking in new scenery. Whether following directions from a GPS or a map, you can find your way almost anywhere. You value safety and would never consider texting while driving or any other distraction from the road. You are honest and tend to smile a lot more than you frown (or scowl). Your schedule is flexible and you can roll with quick delivery changes.
What Kind of Stuff Will You Be Doing?
You will be on the road bringing smiles to Customers’ faces when you deliver their new buses and vehicles safely and efficiently. Most of your trips will be in Virginia but occasionally you may take a trip to a neighboring state. As a driver for Sonny Merryman, you’ll also be a rolling billboard for our company along the roads of Virginia.
What Experience and/or Qualifications Do You Need?
- Clean driving record
- Valid CDL, minimum Class B
- Flexible schedule
If you’re interested in this position, fill out our preliminary employment interest form and one of our team members will contact you.
Once you speak with a Sonny Merryman representative, you may be asked to submit a full application. Click the link below to download a paper application or submit your application online.