In accordance with SKF USA recruiting policy, please be advised that to be considered you must:

• Be in your current position for at least 12 months.
• Have received a Full Achievement or higher overall performance rating.
• Notify your current Manager of your application for this position.

Reports to: Vice President, Operations Americas

Location: US Remote

Job ID: 23724

Salary Range: $ 207,000.00 to $ 246,000.00

We are seeking an exceptional and hands-on leader to drive world-class factory performance and establish an agile end-to-end (E2E) supply chain for mounted bearing products. This role combines strategic supply chain leadership with operational excellence, ensuring Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People Morale targets are achieved. The Operations Director will lead with a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, innovation, business growth, and profitability, fully aligned with SKF and Americas business strategies.

• Supply Chain Strategy & Footprint Optimization
  • Evaluate current manufacturing and distribution footprints to define optimal locations for customized manufacturing hubs and standard stock centers.
  • Build agile supply chain networks capable of rapid fulfillment within short lead times.
• Lean Manufacturing & Factory Excellence
  • Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing principles, driving continuous improvement, waste elimination, and process flow optimization.
  • Lead the SKF Production System (SPS), engaging employees in structured problem-solving and performance improvement.
  • Drive factory performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People Development targets.
• Inventory & Distribution Management
  • Establish lean inventory models balancing availability of customized and standard products with cost efficiency.
  • Oversee E2E planning and distribution to ensure seamless order-to-delivery cycles.
• Innovation & Digitalization
  • Drive automation, digitalization, and operational transparency to enhance efficiency and agility.
  • Support rapid new product launches through agile processes and customer responsiveness.
• Strategic & Annual Planning
  • Develop and execute strategic and annual activity plans aligned with business KPIs and long-term objectives.
  • Manage capacity, capital investments, and process capability to ensure delivery reliability and resilience.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Foster a high-performance, people-centric culture built on engagement, accountability, and leadership development.
  • Lead change management initiatives, embedding Lean thinking and continuous improvement across all levels.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally and cross-culturally to enhance E2E supply chain integration and customer value creation.
• Compliance & Values
  • Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental, and legal requirements.
  • Uphold SKF’s Code of Conduct and corporate values in all operations.

• Strong foundation in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Expertise in E2E supply chain planning, inventory optimization, and agile distribution networks.
• Deep understanding of Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory compliance.
• Proven business and financial acumen, including P&L management, cost control, and capital budgeting.
• Strategic mindset with focus on innovation, automation, and digital transformation.
• Strong customer focus with ability to translate customer needs into operational priorities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Ability to build high-performing teams and promote a “people-first” culture.
• Effective collaboration across Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR.
• Skilled in data-driven decision-making, problem-solving, and project execution.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of manufacturing and plant management experience, including at least 5 years as Plant Manager or equivalent leading full-site operations.
• Demonstrated success in Lean Manufacturing deployment and achieving measurable results in cost, quality, delivery, and safety.
• Experience in precision machining and assembly operations.
• Strong customer focus with proven ability to partner with Sales to drive growth and profitability.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with proven success in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written).
• Location – The successful candidate will need to located in the US, and be in office at one of our locations.

By ensuring availability of customized and standard mounted bearing products through lean inventory practices, the Operations Director will directly contribute to:

• Increased customer satisfaction through rapid fulfillment.
• Enhanced sales growth by meeting diverse product demands.
• Improved profitability through optimized supply chain efficiency.

Please note internal candidates will receive a confirmation that they have successfully applied for position.

This Position is NOT open for International Recruitment.