Chris Nielsen is executive vice president of supply chain and chief quality officer for Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

In his role, Nielsen oversees all supply chain operations, including: purchasing, logistics, quality, integrated planning and control, innovation and strategy, service parts and accessories, and the Toyota Production System development groups.

Previously, Nielsen served as senior vice president of human resources, corporate strategy, and purchasing for Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) located in Erlanger, Kentucky. During his tenure, Nielsen’s leadership was pivotal in the “One Toyota” Headquarters initiative resulting in a successful merger of two Toyota affiliates with distinct cultures that operated separately for over 30 years. Prior to that assignment, Nielsen was president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, a vehicle assembly plant located in San Antonio, Texas. From 2003 to 2006, Nielsen served as project leader responsible for the overall design and construction of TMMTX, a $1.2 Billion project.

Nielsen joined Toyota in 1987 as a buyer at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant and progressed through a series of positions including vice president of purchasing where he was responsible for overseeing over $30 Billion in parts and materials procurement.

He was the first American to participate in the management expatriation program, a year-long management development assignment with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan in 1999.

Nielsen holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute), and an Executive Education Certificate from The Wharton School of Business.  He is a member of the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S. Board of Directors and serves as Chair of the Toyota Motor North America Audit Committee.

Nielsen is also a member of the National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors (Executive Committee), Manufacturing Institute Board of Directors, Dallas Regional Chamber, Board of Directors (Executive Committee, 2019 Chair – Largest Regional Chamber in the United States), Dallas Citizens Council Board of Directors, and Texas 2036 Donor Advisory Council.

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