CHRISTOPHER A. BURGER
Palatine, Illinois 60067
Telephone: 847-***-****
SUMMARY OF
EXPERIENCE: Results driven professional with diversified experience in component sales, strategic sourcing, supply chain
management/development and vendor managed inventory programs. Conceptualized, developed and managed supply
chain programs for $1.4B automotive electronics manufacturing facilities. Demonstrating success in exceeding goals
through a strong desire to excel and consistently improve.
EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Bachelor of Science Degree, December 1993
Major: Political Science
Minor: Business Administration
WORK Senior Purchasing Manager (April 2007-Present)
Supplier Management and Processes & Systems - NAFTA
EXPERIENCE
New Supplier Introduction/Best Cost Country Sourcing - Worldwide
Continental Automotive Systems, Deer Park, IL
• Lead a worldwide team responsible for new supplier evaluation, introduction & development
• Analyze Category needs and formulate strategies to research and develop suppliers to “fill the gaps”
• Focus on new supplier assessment in cooperation with other functional departments including Quality, Logistics
and R&D, to determine supplier capabilities and ability to meet Continental’s strict automotive requirements
• Evaluate existing supplier performance in areas of quality, logistics, technology & finance and communicated the
results to management and the global category teams
• Conduct analysis on “at risk” suppliers in order to monitor their financial performance
• Manage interdisciplinary teams to improve the existing supply base
• Present supplier performance to top management
• Develop and harmonize internal processes with other functional departments
• Purchasing lead for the implementation of SAP at three manufacturing locations
Sourcing Manager - Electrical (July 2006-April 2007)
Continental Automotive Systems, Deer Park, IL
• Motorola’s Automotive business was acquired by Continental AG in July 2006
• Directed category teams in the sourcing of passive components and PCB categories
• Responsible for managing a portfolio of $300M
• Exceeded company goals of driving cost savings resulting in a +10% efficiency year to year
• Developed strategies to specify and establish suppliers and implement supply chain management on new
programs
• Experienced with MRP systems to procure material for high volume of electronic automotive control units
• Led inventory reductions and reduced lead-times by working with suppliers on VMI programs
• Formulate and negotiate long term agreements with new and current suppliers
• Utilized cost modeling and clean sheet analysis to understand the cost drivers for the materials purchased
Senior Category Manager (May 2003-July 2006)
Motorola Automotive, Deer Park, IL
• Responsible for strategic sourcing a portfolio of $100M in electronic commodities
• Lead annual contract negotiations with suppliers to award business based on quality, cost, and performance
• Ensure stability of supply base and reliability of supplier quality while obtaining year over year cost efficiencies
• Conduct face-to-face supplier audits to ensure accordance to quality standards (QS-9000, TS-16949, etc.)
• Formulate long term agreements with suppliers to foster future cost savings and supply commitment
• Assess worldwide supply base and generate strategies to optimize supplier usage
• Mentor key suppliers to ensure optimum cost/quality performance and future growth within Motorola
• Work closely with Motorola Global team to standardize part usage and meet corporate savings expectations
• Communicate with internal product launch teams to recommend optimum design and part usage
• As a New Program Coordinator -work closely with engineering on new product development from concept
through launch
Midwest Regional Manager-Automotive Division (May 2000-May 2003)
Toko America, Inc., Mount Prospect, Illinois
• Toko is a leading manufacturer of passive and active electronic components and assembled products with annual
sales of 72 billion yen worldwide
• Manage Chicago and Detroit based Account Executives and oversee the sales, marketing and product design
activities for customers, such as Motorola-ACES, Lear, TRW, Panasonic, Alpine, Delphi-Delco, Siemens, Bosch
• Responsible for all sales activities, including materials management, product procurement, pricing contracts and
MRP scheduling systems, to Visteon Automotive Systems worldwide, with annual sales of $4.5 million
• Successfully built customer relationships at all corporate levels by providing prompt, knowledgeable and high
quality service within my territory
• Achieved 125% of annual sales quota and delivered $14KK+ in sales in 2001 for the Midwest territory
• Increased sales, profit margins and secured future business by successfully negotiating long term pricing
agreements and business contracts
• Worked closely with Toko Engineering to provide solutions to client design and manufacturing problems
• Prepare monthly and annual sales forecasts and develop sales strategies and account plans to achieve goals
• Work directly with Toko North American management to influence corporate direction, develop new products,
pricing strategies, and competitive analysis
• Assist in the hiring and training of personnel within the Automotive division and perform annual reviews
• Experience in national and international travel
Account Manager-Automotive Division (January 1998-May 2000)
Toko America, Inc., Mount Prospect, Illinois
• Managed all sales/marketing activities to Motorola AIEG, Delphi-Delco Electronics, Panasonic/MCUSA, Pioneer,
Alpine and Clarion as well as a variety of Tier Two automotive accounts
• Customer based sales of $6KK+ annually
• Prospected for new business opportunities with an emphasis on increasing sales revenue
• Exceeded monthly and annual sales goals and quotas
• Gained extensive technical knowledge on the manufacturing processes of electrical components and subsystems
• Monitored and analyzed customer releases and production run schedules
• Prepared pricing analysis for annual price negotiations and new business
• Instrumental in achieving and maintaining all aspects of QS9000 requirements (automotive quality standard)
• Worked closely with Engineering for “design-ins”, with an end result of increased sales
Account Executive-System Products (July 1995 to December 1997)
Toko America, Inc., Mount Prospect, Illinois
• Toko’s System Products Division was responsible for developing and marketing the first fully transportable video
and audio compression and transmission system
• Managed commercial accounts including broadcasters worldwide, such as CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Associated
Press Television, with an emphasis on increased sales
• Promoted new products, informing management of new applications for product development
• Experienced in the sales and marketing of capital equipment to corporate executive levels
• Successfully established distribution channels for sales and marketing of products worldwide
• Prospected for new business opportunities with an emphasis on increasing sales revenue
• Observed and collected data on competitors’ products and activities in the market
• Worked closely with the department vice-president and other personnel to obtain a proficient work atmosphere
within the organization to achieve departmental goals
Account Executive (February 1994 to July 1995)
Computer Discount Warehouse, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
• CDW is one of the nation’s largest resellers of computer hardware and software
• Established and managed corporate, government, and customer accounts, providing computer hardware, software,
and services
• Developed computer systems and software configurations based on customer needs and applications
• Answered customer sales and technical inquiries on computer hardware and software
• Gained an extensive knowledge of popular computer software programs
References Available Upon Request