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:

  1. 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.
  2. Competitive Pay. We believe in a livable, fair market wage for all of our employees.
  3. Paid Time Off. Full time employees immediately start accruing time upon hire; that’s in addition to the seven paid holidays.
  4. Medical and Prescription / Dental Coverage. Multiple plans are available for you as well as your family at competitive monthly premiums.
  5. 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.
  6. Optional 401K. In addition to our ESOP, we also provide employees with a 401k program.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

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Who 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, submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.


school bus regional sales manager

Sonny Merryman Eastern Virginia Territory | Full time, Mon-Fri.

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Company Overview:

Join our team at Sonny Merryman, one of the nation’s leading providers of school bus solutions dedicated to safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We are committed to shaping the future of transportation by delivering top-of-the-line products and fostering strong customer relationships. As a School Bus Regional Sales Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving sales and championing customer satisfaction within the eastern Virginia territory.

 

Job Description:

The School Bus Regional Sales Manager (Eastern Virginia) is a key player in our sales team, responsible for generating sales, nurturing customer relationships, and promoting brand awareness. Reporting directly to the Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales, this role combines sales acumen with customer advocacy to achieve success.

Responsibilities:

Sales Generation and Management (50%):

  • Proactively identify and pursue sales opportunities within their region
  • Establish, pursue, and track annual target sales accounts
  • Collaborate with Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales on deals and pricing
  • Produce sales quotes in accordance with state and customer specifications
  • Research and develop product advantage specifications
  • Maintain a knowledge base of customer-preferred product specifications
  • Track and keep customer abreast of order status and updates throughout the sales process
  • Participate in and provide support for customer deliveries
  • Mitigate order and sales challenges in cooperation with Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales
  • Be knowledgeable of and promote funding strategies and sources to aid customers in achieving product purchase goals
  • Prepare financing deals and strategies in partnership with the internal finance team and Daimler Finance partners
  • Participate in regional, state, and national industry events and conferences to promote brand awareness and drive sales growth

Customer Relationship Management (35%):

  • Build and maintain loyal relationships with customers, serving as their dedicated point-of-contact and trusted advisor
  • Maintain a regular cadence of customer contact and visits, striving for an average of 2-3 monthly touchpoints and a minimum of one in-person touchpoint every other month for each customer
  • Demonstrate comprehensive product knowledge and expertise to effectively address customer inquiries and provide tailored solutions
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to facilitate positive customer experiences and resolve issues or challenges
  • Act as a dedicated advocate for customers while concurrently safeguarding the company’s financial interests and overarching objectives
  • Host customers on OEM tours, educational events, and customer-appreciation outings
  • Provide customer contact updates for customer relationship management database

Product and Industry Experience Knowledge (15%):

  • Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to inform sales strategies and enhance product offerings
  • Actively participate in ongoing product training, events, and meetings with OEM partners
  • Stay informed about advancements and new technologies in the school bus industry, emerging technologies, and best practices
  • Maintain regular engagement with OEM representatives to stay in-tune with latest developments

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing/related field or equivalent experience required
  • Knowledge of school buses, vehicle systems, and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) (preferred)
  • 5+ years of sales experience (preferred)
  • Centrally located within the eastern Virginia region (preferred)
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and customer-service skills
  • Keen attention to detail and intricacies of crafting sales proposals
  • Problem-solving and winning mindset
  • Proficiency in Microsoft programs, specifically OneDrive, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams
  • Self-motivated to work independently while also maintaining a team-oriented mentality
  • Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holder (preferred)
  • Remote and in-office working environment with 30-40% travel required (primarily within state)

Salary and Benefits:

  • Minimum $80k, commensurate with experience and other qualifications
  • Annual performance bonuses
  • Employee stock-owned company (ESOP) retirement benefits
  • Optional 401K
  • Health, dental & vision insurance
  • 7 annual holidays + PTO

Join us in shaping the future of school bus transportation and making a positive impact in communities across the region. If you’re interested in this position, 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.

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Overview:

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, submit an application and one of our team members will contact you.


Parts Analyst

Sonny Merryman Greater Richmond Location (Ashland, VA) | Full time, Mon-Fri.

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If you like being part of transporting our future and community by helping our Customers find and purchase the right parts for their vehicles, this may be a fit for you.

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 can carry on a conversation while doing research in the background to assist our Customers. You are detail-oriented and will go to the lengths necessary to make sure your customer gets the right part the first time. Navigating a computer is a breeze for you and you feel at home using Microsoft products, such as Outlook, Teams, and Word. You enjoy building relationships and pleasing a Customer. 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 You Be Doing?

You will support Customers by identifying the part(s) they need, placing their orders, and following-up post receipt of order to ensure satisfaction. As a direct line to our Customers, you will also serve as a contact for other areas of support, such as online account navigation, transaction assistance, and product announcements. You will play a key role in the parts team’s collective efforts to meet sales goals.

What Experience and/or Qualifications Do You Need?

  • Automotive or commercial vehicle parts experience preferred but not required.

If you’re interested in this position, submit an application 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.

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Who 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, submit an application 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.

Full Application