Chris White

BA, Political Science, 1993

Chris White brings over 30 years of supply chain operations management experience, with deep expertise in just-in-time fulfillment, lean manufacturing, process engineering, and team building. He currently leads Supply Chain Operations at Sleep Number, where his passion for developing talent and building high-performing teams has shaped his approach to operational leadership.

After earning his degree from Purdue University, where he participated in Navy ROTC, Chris entered the Navy Nuclear Engineering program, graduating first in his class at Submarine Warfare School before serving as a division officer aboard the SSBN USS Nebraska from 1995 to 1998. He then joined CIBA Vision, a Novartis company, holding a series of operations roles while completing Novartis' leadership development program. In 2005, he was promoted to head manufacturing operations for CIBA's extended-wear contact lens division, overseeing facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, and Batam, Indonesia. From 2005 to 2008, he served as a project manager in the Office of the CEO, leading a global Sales and Operations Planning process.

In 2008, Chris joined Sleep Number to run its Salt Lake City manufacturing facility — a team drawing employees from 31 countries. In 2013, he moved to Minneapolis to take on the role of Vice President of Supply Chain Operations, where he has led the insourcing of mattress assembly operations, expanded the company's fulfillment network, and advanced its technical systems capabilities. Throughout, he has applied his global leadership expertise to advancing Sleep Number's mission of improving lives, building an organization grounded in mutual respect and a commitment to developing problem-solvers at every level.

Chris holds a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. He currently serves as President of the Twin Cities Purdue Alumni Association. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and fellow Purdue College of Liberal Arts alumna, Michelle. They have two sons: Forrest, a Purdue College of Aeronautical Engineering alumnus, and Andrew, a Savannah College of Art and Design Architecture alumnus.