Industrial Engineering & Manufacturing Leader with 15+ Years

Christopher Kline

**** ******* ****** ** *********, MI 49401

616-***-**** ️ ************@*****.***

Engineering & Operations Leader

Engineering Manager Director of Engineering Operations Manager Engineering Lead Strategic and hands-on manufacturing leader with 15+ years of experience across OEM, aftermarket, and custom production environments. Proven success driving engineering leadership, capital project execution, lean transformation, and multi-site operations. Adept at aligning engineering, production, and warehouse functions to achieve operational excellence. Experienced with ITAR and defense-adjacent manufacturing, and skilled in leading cross-functional teams through growth, digital transformation, and continuous improvement. Core Competencies

Engineering Leadership Multi-Site Operations Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Strategic Planning Cross-Functional Team Development Capital Project Management Process Engineering CNC & Automation ERP/MRP Systems Regulatory Compliance (ITAR, OSHA) Operational Excellence Budgeting & Forecasting Safety & Ergonomic Cell Design (5S, TPM)

Professional Experience

Director of Engineering Tramec Sloan – Holland, MI 02/2022 – 08/2025

● Led engineering across four U.S. facilities (OH, KS, IN, MI), overseeing process improvement, CNC/automation projects, and cross-site capital planning.

● Drove alignment between engineering, production, and warehouse operations to improve flow, safety, and throughput.

● Managed both capital and operational budgets with quarterly targets; supported M&A activity and plant efficiency scaling.

● Implemented lean and digital solutions, enhancing visibility and decision-making across sites.

Manufacturing Engineer / Tooling Manager The Stow Company – Holland, MI 01/2017 – 02/2022

● Directed process design and automation initiatives in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

● Executed ergonomic workcell layouts and CNC parametric programming to optimize productivity and quality.

● Reduced costs through in-house tooling development and supplier optimization.

● Championed lean principles to enhance throughput and reduce waste. Process Engineer Pridgeon & Clay – Grand Rapids, MI 02/2016 – 01/2017

● Improved stamping and assembly process reliability for Tier 1 automotive programs.

● Enhanced OEE and quality through root cause analysis, control plans, and data-driven process improvements.

● Partnered with cross-functional teams to stabilize production and improve delivery performance.

Manufacturing Engineer III Herman Miller – Zeeland, MI 05/2011 – 02/2016

● Delivered lean-focused cell layout improvements emphasizing safety, ergonomics, and productivity.

● Led capital equipment upgrades and standardized manufacturing systems for high-mix production.

● Collaborated with engineering and operations leadership to drive continuous improvement and standard work adoption.

Production Manager G&K Services – Grand Rapids, MI 11/2009 – 07/2010

● Managed daily plant operations with a focus on scheduling, process adherence, and safety compliance.

● Oversaw workforce planning and productivity initiatives. Scheduling Supervisor / Safety Manager Paragon D&E – Grand Rapids, MI 04/2007 – 09/2009

● Supported ITAR credentialing and defense-contract readiness for machining operations.

● Led safety program development and production schedule optimization in a mold and die environment.

Executive Impact Highlights

● Production & Capital Expansion – Directed $125M plant buildout, achieving throughput gains and scalable layout design. Grew facility output from $80M to $165M; delivered $44M capital program under budget and on schedule.

● Operations & Continuous Improvement – Implemented ergonomic manufacturing cells, lean initiatives, and preventive maintenance systems to increase reliability and reduce downtime.

● Team & Culture Development – Manage a high-performance team of engineers across multiple facilities; mentor new engineers in lean methods, process ownership, and capital execution.

● Warehouse & Digital Innovation – Improved pull/pack/ship coordination to boost fulfillment; co-developed in-house reporting systems integrated with ERP. Education

MBA, General Business – Grand Valley State University, MI B.S., Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Ferris State University, MI A.A., Engineering – Grand Rapids Community College, MI Certifications & Technical Skills

● Certifications: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Foundations, OSHA Safety

● Technical: ERP/MRP Platforms (SAP, Oracle, Epicor), CNC Programming, CAD/CAM, Project Management Tools (MS Project, Smartsheet), Digital Process Transformation, Parametric Systems

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