Factory Manager

SKF Inc•Sumter, SC

66d•Onsite

About The Position

SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagining rotation for a better tomorrow! SKF is an industry-leading manufacturer that has been a cornerstone in industrial life. Wherever there are machines or products in motion, SKF bearings are there to reduce friction. SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the table, and even helps explore the cosmos. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. SKF is on pace to decarbonize all its production facilities by 2030. We're guided by our SKF values. Collaboration is critical to the success of our colleagues, partners, and customers. Curiosity and Courage provide a foundation for innovation and advancement. And we do this work out of Care for our people, customers, communities, and the planet. We're a company committed to a culture of belonging, where all our people are encouraged to be themselves and grow their careers in an equitable environment. Learn about SKF at www.skf.com. SKF Sumter, SC USA is responsible for the development and manufacturing of slewing bearings, thin section bearings, and DGBB (MRC). The Sumter factory is part of the Americas Business Area and is poised for a significant growth. The Americas Business Area operates in many countries in North, Central, and South Americas. Sumter has a customer portfolio that includes many major OE manufacturers of defense, medical, industrial products and many distribution channel partners around the world. The product is highly engineered precision solutions. The Sumter location has two facilities and has 400 employees responsible for production on seals using a wide variety of molding and machining processes. We are seeking an exceptional and hands-on leader to drive world-class factory performance through Lean Manufacturing implementation, achieving excellence in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People Morale. The Factory Manager will lead with a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, innovation, business growth, and profitability, fully aligned with SKF and Americas business strategies.

Requirements

Strong foundation in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
Expertise in Quality Systems, Maintenance & Reliability, and Production Planning.
Deep understanding of Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory compliance.
Proven business and financial acumen, including P&L management, cost control, and capital budgeting.
Strong customer focus and ability to translate customer needs into operational priorities.
Strategic mindset with a focus on innovation, automation, and digital transformation.
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.
U.S. Defense contractor eligibility (U.S. Citizenship or Green Card required).
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 leading full-site operations.
Demonstrated success in Lean Manufacturing deployment and achieving measurable results in cost, quality, delivery, and safety.
Strong customer focus with proven ability to partner with Sales to drive growth and profitability.
Experience in precision machining and assembly operations.
Excellent communication and leadership skills with proven success in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
Fluent in English (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

Lead the factory to world-class operational performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People Development targets.
Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing principles, driving continuous improvement, waste elimination, and process flow optimization across all factory operations. Lead the SKF Production System (SPS) by engaging all employees in structured problem-solving and performance improvement.
Collaborate with Sales and Commercial teams to drive business growth and profitability, improving customer responsiveness, cost competitiveness, and agility in new product launches.
Drive innovation and digitalization to enhance efficiency, automation, and operational transparency.
Develop and execute the factory's strategic and annual activity plans, ensuring alignment with business KPIs, policies, and long-term objectives.
Foster a high-performance, people-centric culture built on engagement, accountability, and development of future leaders.
Lead change management initiatives, embedding continuous improvement and Lean thinking across all levels.
Manage capacity, capital investments, and process capability to ensure delivery reliability and operational resilience.
Ensure full compliance with all Health, Safety, Environmental, and legal requirements, upholding SKF's Code of Conduct and corporate values.
Collaborate cross-functionally and cross-culturally to enhance end-to-end supply chain integration and customer value creation.

Benefits

Rest and Relaxation. Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.
Work/Life Integration. SKF supports work/life integration, home, family, community, personal well-being and health. Flexible work options available, depending on role.
Diversity in the Workplace.?At SKF, we strive to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. By developing a culture of belonging, our people can flourish; leading to an inclusive, equitable environment that promotes leadership, engagement and innovation.
Best in Class Benefits. SKF cares about the wellbeing of our employees. Comprehensive healthcare options to fit your needs and opt out payment. Added benefits include company paid life insurance, STD, LTD. Supplemental benefits include critical illness coverage, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, and much more!
Bonus. SKF offers STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance and at the discretion of management.
Invest in your Future. Participate in our 401K program that boasts a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of your elected contribution (100% Vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.

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