Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Burns.
Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was 16 years old, I graduated high school and started perusing a career as a makeup artist. After graduating with my international makeup certification, I started working at Ulta Beauty. A couple years later, Covid started and resulted in me being furloughed. The industry really changed after Covid and I decided to look for other careers. I was interested in being an esthetician, potentially in the medical field, so I decided to look for entry level medical jobs while I saved for school. I ended up getting a job at a doctors office but quickly learned that wasn’t the best fit for me. I was desperate to leave when a family member connected me with their employer, and offered me a job in manufacturing. I continued saving for school and was much happier in this environment. As I worked in the role, my work dwindled, so I started helping other departments, such as supply chain. This is when I started falling in love with supply chain, specifically inventory and planning. The field I was working in was check printing, which is a fascinating but dying industry. As someone in her early 20s, I decided to look for a job where I could have a future. I started working at another manufacturing company (this time conveyor belts) in their planning department. This role solidified my love for supply chain, I loved the challenges I faced each day. I decided to go back to school full time and get my undergrad in the field. I left the conveyor belt company to go part time at a steel manufacturing company as an order administrator. Eventually, I worked my way up to the material coordinator, a role they made for me. I started entering customers sales orders and left assisting the company with purchasing and inventory control, on a tactical and strategic level. After earning my bachelors degree in Supply Chain and Operations Management, I decided to pursue higher education. I graduated that same year with my master degree in Management and Leadership, completing the program in less than 5 months, and my bachelors in 6 months. While in school for my bachelors, I also earned my CPIM from ASCM. I have taken that skill set to an aerospace company where I work in strategic sourcing, helping monitor and control inflation and assisting contract financial reviewal.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Graduating with a BS and MS in two years is quite the challenge! I started working part time, but transitioned to full time after my BS, which was quite challenging to manage. My mother passed away shortly before my higher education started and this is the hardest thing I have ever tried to cope with.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a passion for inventory control and planning. I love it at both the tactical and strategic level. I am highly motivated to solve problems and continue to improve processes. I’m most proud of my work ethic.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Dedication. Setting goals and committing to them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Emilyburnsmua
- LinkedIn: Emily Burns CPIM
