Brian E. Burns

About Brian E. Burns

Proven leader, communicator, and motivator with a balanced, fact-based approach to creating cross-functional collaboration with sales & marketing, engineering, production departments, finance, and executive decision-makers, along with suppliers and customers in leading an organization to new heights of excellence. Demonstrated track record of meeting long-term development and improvement goals while sustaining current profitability and performance objectives.$270M+ in Career Annualized Cost Reductions• $225M Direct Material• $40M Operations Cost Reductions (Labor, Fixed/Variable Operating Costs, MRO Expenditures)• $100M+ Working Capital Improvement via Payment Terms Negotiations (Discounts/Net Days/Consignment)Cost conscious, focused Operations and Supply Chain Management professional with over 20 years of progressive responsibility building key strategic relations, improving quality, maximizing assets, reducing costs, conducting win-win negotiations, and optimizing transactional and manufacturing processes within large, multi-site JIT, Lean, Six Sigma and ISO/TS environments.Specialties:Strategic Proactive Procurement and Supply-chain Management.Operational Excellence• Quality Management (Product/Plant/Supplier/ISO & IATF)• Six Sigma Management• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)• Lean ManufacturingSpecial expertise in Strategic Procurement, Quality Management, Lean Manufacturing, Process Management, Cost Reduction, Collaborative Supplier Relations, Planning & Forecasting, VA/VE, Scheduling, and the smooth implementation of comprehensive management systems and processes.

Experience

1. Sr Manager, Procurement

   Motorola Solutions

   Aug 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Lead a team of global category managers to develop and execute cohesive strategies that deliver continuity of supply, future-proof technologies, market insights, risk mitigation, and effective cost management practices that support annual revenue plans, maintaining margins and delivering value to the business.• Drive cross-functional collaboration, working closely with Product Management, Design Engineering, Program Management, and other related business functions to align technologies with product life-cycles, ensuring reliable and dependable products.• Develop and implement process improvements, automation, and best practices that support growth and scale with global reach; Establish and maintain executive presence across Quality, Finance, Product, and Sales organizations; Advance governance around best practices and procurement policies; implement measurement systems and management dashboards for effective governance.• Provide guidance on procurement planning, determining the appropriate procurement method, contract preparation, development, award, administration, and termination.

Education

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor of General Studies, Psych, Soc, Eng, Bus

  1991 — 1995

• Greenville High School

  Diploma, College/University Preparatory Diploma Program

  1987 — 1991

• Seattle University

  MBA, Operations

  2005 — 2007

• Seattle University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA