By creating bearings and solutions for everything from industrial applications to vehicles, SKF plays an essential role in our everyday lives. In Q4 2026, SKF intends to spin off its Automotive business and list it as a separate company under the name of SKF Vertevo. A company created to support the future of the automotive market, and to co-drive the future of mobility faster.
This role will be a part of that new company. Would you like to join us, and move people further?
Deputy Manager - Demand Chain- SKF Automotive Business
We are in the process of identifying a suitable candidate for the role of Deputy Manager - Demand Chain. This role will be based in Haridwar Factory and will report to the Factory Manager.
Purpose of the role:
The Factory Demand Chain Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end factory demand chain operations, integrating Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Purchasing, Inventory Management, Warehousing, and Material Flow Excellence. The role ensures seamless availability of raw materials, indirect materials, and services while optimizing inventory, customer service, costs, and working capital. The incumbent will drive Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), procurement performance, warehouse excellence, supplier development, and lean material flow initiatives across the Haridwar manufacturing unit.
Key responsibilities (or What you can expect in the role)
- Lead factory demand and supply planning processes to ensure alignment between customer demand, production capability, and supplier capacity.
- Drive monthly S&OP reviews and business planning cycles involving Sales, Production, Supply Chain, Finance, and Purchasing.
- Develop demand forecasts, capacity plans, inventory strategies, and supply plans to achieve customer service targets.
- Monitor forecast accuracy, inventory health, and service performance, implementing corrective actions where required.
- Support new product introductions, localization initiatives, and business growth plans through effective planning processes.
2. Factory Procurement Management
Direct Material Procurement
- Ensure uninterrupted availability of direct materials to support production requirements.
- Monitor supplier capacities, lead times, risk exposure, and delivery performance.
- Work closely with Global and Regional Sourcing teams to implement sourcing strategies and contracts.
Indirect Material, Services & CAPEX Procurement
- Lead sourcing and procurement of indirect materials, maintenance spares, tooling, fixtures, fabricated parts, electrical and electronic components, hydraulic systems, plant services, and CAPEX requirements.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, contract terms, payment conditions, and cost improvement initiatives.
- Drive annual cost reduction, value engineering, supplier consolidation, and productivity projects. Supplier Development & Performance Management
- Identify, evaluate, onboard, and develop suppliers to improve competitiveness and supply reliability.
- Conduct supplier audits and performance reviews based on Quality, Cost, Delivery, Innovation, and Management (QCDIM) metrics.
- Develop and execute supplier risk mitigation and business continuity plans.
3. Raw Material Stores Management
- Lead operations of Raw Material Stores ensuring inventory accuracy and uninterrupted material availability for production.
- Establish and maintain optimum inventory levels, reorder policies, and storage practices.
- Drive inventory reduction initiatives while protecting customer service and production continuity.
- Ensure FIFO/FEFO, traceability, cycle counting, stock reconciliation, and compliance with SKF standards.
- Monitor inventory accuracy and implement corrective actions to eliminate losses and discrepancies.
4. Indirect Material Stores Management
- Manage maintenance, consumables, tooling, and indirect material inventories.
- Ensure timely availability of maintenance and operational materials for plant requirements.
- Optimize inventory levels through standardization, consumption analysis, and supplier-managed inventory where appropriate.
- Maintain inventory governance, obsolescence controls, and audit compliance.
5. Finished Goods Warehouse Management
- Lead Finished Goods Warehouse operations to ensure safe storage and on-time dispatch of customer orders.
- Manage warehouse capacity, inventory accuracy, stock rotation, and order fulfillment performance.
- Drive warehouse productivity, accuracy, and service level improvements.
- Collaborate with Logistics, Customer Service, and Production teams to ensure OTIF (On-Time In-Full) delivery performance.
- Ensure compliance with EHS, quality standards, and warehouse best practices.
6. Lean Material Flow & Operational Excellence
- Design and implement lean material flow concepts across the factory.
- Drive initiatives such as:
- Kanban systems
- Pull replenishment systems
- Line-side inventory optimization
- Supermarket concepts
- Milk run logistics
- Warehouse layout optimization
- Material handling improvements
- Inventory reduction projects
- Eliminate non-value-added activities and reduce material movement, waiting time, and excess inventory.
- Support SKF Production System and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Drive digitization, automation, and data-driven improvements across demand chain operations.
7. Inventory & Working Capital Management
- Define and manage inventory policies for raw materials, WIP, indirect materials, and finished goods.
- Drive working capital improvement through inventory optimization and procurement excellence.
- Lead slow-moving and obsolete inventory reduction initiatives.
- Ensure inventory governance and compliance with financial controls.
8. Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead and develop teams across Planning, Purchasing, Stores, and Warehouse functions.
- Build organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
9. Governance, Compliance & Sustainability
- Ensure compliance with SKF Code of Conduct, Quality Management System, EHS requirements, purchasing policies, and sustainability standards.
- Ensure compliance with GST, procurement governance, audit requirements, and statutory obligations.
- Promote responsible sourcing and supplier sustainability initiatives.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Customer & Supply Performance
- Customer Service Level (OTIF)
- Forecast Accuracy
- Production Material Availability
- Supplier Delivery Performance
Inventory & Working Capital
- Inventory Turns
- Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)
- Raw Material Inventory
- Finished Goods Inventory
- Obsolete Inventory Reduction
- Working Capital Improvement
Procurement Performance
- Annual Cost Savings
- Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
- Contract Compliance
- Localization Achievement
- Supplier Quality Performance
Warehouse & Material Flow
- Inventory Accuracy
- Warehouse Productivity
- Lean Material Flow Improvements
- Material Handling Efficiency
- Stock Accuracy
Competencies
- Strategic Supply Chain Management
- Demand & Supply Planning
- Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Inventory & Warehouse Management
- Lean Manufacturing & Material Flow
- S&OP Leadership
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Cost Analysis & Negotiation
- Team Leadership & Talent Development
- ERP/SAP & Supply Chain Analytics
- Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Cross-functional Stakeholder Management
Requirements (or We expect you to have/be)
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Production, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
- MBA in Operations, Supply Chain, Materials Management, or equivalent preferred.
Experience
- 8-10 years of experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Warehouse, and Manufacturing Operations.
- Proven experience in managing Purchasing, Planning, Stores, and Warehouse functions within a manufacturing environment.
- Automotive, Bearing, Engineering, Industrial Manufacturing, or Heavy Industry experience preferred.
Preferred Certifications
- APICS CPIM / CSCP
- Lean Six Sigma Certification
- SAP or Supply Chain Planning Certifications
If you want to go further
This position will be located
Haridwar Factory, India. You will report to Factory Manager, who is located in Haridwar. For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact
Supriya Joshi, Talent Acquisition Specialist, by email
[email protected]. Please note that we can't accept applications via email.
Apply with your CV in English throughout the system, no later than 09-15-2026. We will screen candidates continuously, so make sure to submit your application as soon as possible.
If you want to know more about SKF Automotive business, please visit our webpage.
SKF Automotive: Bearings & aftermarket solutions since 1907
Transparency and fairness matter to us
At SKF, we see diversity in our workforce as an asset that supports better business results. We are committed to having a fair and inclusive recruitment process where all hiring decisions are based on objective, job-related criteria, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.
To support a fair and transparent recruitment process, the process may include assessments, and before hiring, we may also carry out background checks and verify application information. Any employment offer will be based on the requirements of the role and an overall assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and potential. Our recruitment process may differ from country to country and will always be in line with applicable country-specific laws and regulations.
Come as you are – just be yourself. #weareSKF
