Christopher Steven Owens

About Christopher Steven Owens

At my core, I am an innovative and determined leader who thrives on turning complex challenges into profitable solutions. With a career spanning over 20 years in industrial manufacturing, I have a proven track record of success in process improvement, automation design, and product development. My Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship provides the strategic framework for my hands-on experience, allowing me to lead with both technical precision and financial foresight.Currently, as the Senior Manager of Manufacturing Engineering at MANN+HUMMEL, I lead a diverse team of 50+ professionals. My role extends beyond daily operations to developing and executing a strategic vision for the Allen facility, continuously improving output, and securing new business.My leadership journey began at The Timken Company, where over 16 years I gained comprehensive experience across every stage of the manufacturing process. I played a key role in implementing foundational systems, including the Timken Management Operations System, and creating the infrastructure for the Timken Recycling Division.Beyond my corporate career, I am an entrepreneur at heart. I am the inventor behind a patented tool that solves a long-standing problem in the automotive industry, an innovation that earned me the honor of being a 2x finalist in the SEMA Launchpad competition. This blend of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial drive defines my approach to problem-solving—a constant pursuit of elegant, effective, and profitable solutions for the world\'s most pressing challenges.

Experience

1. Senior Manager Manufacturing Engineering

   MANN+HUMMEL

   Nov 2022 — Present · Gastoina, NC, US

   Management of Maintenance, Advanced Engineering and Process Engineering groups at the Allen facility o Management of 60+ hourly and 20 salary associates as well as all CAPEX needs of group and Allen facility o Responsible for cultural change on integration of all groups into a cohesive functioning unit • Develop and execute 5-year strategic plan for 50% improvement in output with 50% reduction in D2D processing time o Key member in future vision development for Allen facility for part portfolio, plant layout and product mix• Deployment and integration of Sigga SAP Maintenance with operational needs and M+H Maintenance Basics o First large-scale project site for global implementation for Sigga• Owner of P2M Process for new catalogue product support and launch for HD air and Liquid product lines o Responsible for RFQ’s, initial product trails, process development and final product deployment at facility o Made where consumed stakeholder and global product rationalization team member• Insourcing of critical processes to be re-established at Allen facility (tooling manufacturing, apprenticeship, rebuilds…)

Education

• University of South Carolina at Spartanburg

  Pre-Engineerng Program, Pre-Engineering Program

  2000 — 2001

• Clemson University

  Certiciate in Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

  2012 — 2012

• Clemson University

  BS, Mechanical Engineering

  2001 — 2005

• Clemson University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), MBA in Entrepreneurism and Innovation

  2016 — 2018

Skills

• Kaizen
• 5s
• Cnc Machine
• Automotive
• Continuous Improvement
• Manufacturing
• Facilities Engineering
• Culture Change
• Process Improvement
• Conveyancing
• Automation
• Product Development
• Preventive Maintenance
• Cad
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Office
• Lean Manufacturing
• Facilities Operations
• Process Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Machining
• Machine Vision
• Project Engineering
• Ndt Ram
• Project Management
• Factory
• Root Cause Analysis
• Six Sigma
• Ndt
• Management
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Engineering
• Metal Fabrication
• Machine Tools