Factory Warehouse and General Stores Lead

About SKF 

SKF started its operations in India in 1923. Today, SKF provides through its five technology-centric platforms: bearings and units, seals solutions and services. Over the years the company has evolved from manufacturing company to a knowledge-driven engineering company sustainable and competitive business excellence.

 SKF's solutions provide sustainable ways for companies across the sectors to achieve breakthroughs in friction reduction, energy efficiency and reliability. With a strong commitment to research-based innovation value-added solutions that integrate all its five technology platforms. About the organization: www.skf.com/in

SKF Purpose Statement

Together, we re-imagine rotation for a better tomorrow. 

By creating intelligent and clean solutions for people and the planet

Job Description

Job title: Factory Warehouse and General Stores Lead 

Reports to: Head Demand Chain

Role type: People Manager 

Location: Bavla, Ahmedabad (30-35KM from Ahmedabad on Rajkot Road)

Purpose of the role: 

Lead and optimize warehouse and general stores operations to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing, efficient inventory management, and alignment with global supply chain and lean manufacturing standards. Drive operational excellence through lean principles, digitalization, and cross-functional collaboration to meet cost, quality, safety, and delivery objectives. 

Responsibilities

1. Ensure uninterrupted availability of indirect materials, tooling, and maintenance spares to support production continuity. 
2. Collaborate with production, maintenance, and supply chain teams to meet customer delivery requirements in terms of quality, cost, and timelines. 
3. Drive Lean principles including pull systems (Kanban/JIT), 5S, and waste elimination across warehouse and stores operations. 
4. Contribute to achieving Zero Accident, Zero Defect, and On-Time Delivery targets. 
5. Drive productivity improvements and cost optimization initiatives in material handling and storage operations. 
6. Improve operational efficiency by reducing losses and supporting OEE enhancement. 
7. Work closely with supply chain to improve service levels and responsiveness. 
8. Develop and execute improvement roadmaps aligned with business and manufacturing plans. 
9. Develop and lead a capable workforce through coaching, mentoring, and performance management. 
10. Support employee engagement and industrial relations initiatives, including interaction with workforce representatives where applicable. 
11. Manage receipt, storage, inventory control, and line feeding of indirect materials and components. 
12. Drive inventory optimization by improving inventory turns, reducing obsolescence, and maintaining high inventory accuracy. 
13. Ensure FIFO/FEFO compliance and effective material traceability. 
14. Manage teams including, data entry operators, store personnel, and 3PL workforce across shifts. 
15. Monitor and improve KPIs such as stock control, service levels, and administrative lead times. 
16. Ensure safe storage practices and adherence to EHS standards within warehouse and stores. 
17. Define and review inventory norms aligned with strategic and operational requirements. 
18. Identify obsolete and non-moving inventory and coordinate disposal as per policy. 
19. Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. 
20. Lead digitalization initiatives including ERP/WMS optimization and warehouse automation. 

Metrics: 

1) Inventory accuracy and inventory turns 

2) Material availability and downtime due to shortages 

3) 5S audit scores and warehouse compliance 

4) Lean implementation and productivity improvements 

5) Reduction in indirect inventory and obsolescence 

6) Cost optimization of shop supplies and indirect materials 

7) ERP/WMS data accuracy and adherence 

8) Safety performance (zero incidents) 

9) People development and succession readiness 

Competencies: 

1. Strong people management and leadership skills 

2. In-depth knowledge of warehouse, inventory, and supply chain processes 

3. Experience with ERP/WMS systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.) 

4. Understanding of lean manufacturing and material flow concepts 

5. Knowledge of financial and cost structures in manufacturing 

6. Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving abilities 

7. Effective interpersonal and communication skills 

8. Experience in handling industrial relations matters 

9. Capability to manage large teams (including blue collar and 3PL workforce) 

10. Ability to drive team development, coaching, and capability building 

Candidate Profile: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical/Production/Industrial) / Any Graduate, pref. MBA preferred. 

2. 7–12 years of experience in warehouse, stores, or supply chain operations in a manufacturing environment. 

3. Experience in heavy engineering or bearing manufacturing industry preferred. 

4. Proven experience managing large teams including contract and 3PL workforce. 

5. Exposure to lean practices and digital warehouse systems required. 

Interested candidate/s can share their resume to hema.chaudhary@skf.com