Job Description

Factory Manager – SKF Guadalajara (Zapopan)

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and leading a factory to world-class performance? Join SKF Seals, a global leader in sealing solutions, and take charge of our flagship manufacturing site in Zapopan, Mexico—one of the largest and most dynamic in our network.

Your Mission.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead over 700 professionals at SKF’s flagship Zapopan factory—SKF’s largest manufacturing base in Mexico and a strategic hub for the Americas and global export markets specializing in sealing solutions. As Factory Manager, you’ll drive innovation and operational excellence, setting new standards for quality, growth, and customer impact across the region.

Your leadership will champion Lean transformation, embed a culture of problem-solving, and deliver world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development. By continuously improving the SKF Production System (SPS), you’ll optimize efficiency and productivity, fully aligning the factory with SKF’s business strategy and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities.

• Drive Operational Excellence: Implement and continuously improve the SKF Production System (SPS), embedding Lean principles and a culture of problem-solving at all levels.
• Lean Leadership: Champion Lean concepts such as waste elimination, flow optimization, and Kaizen to achieve breakthrough improvements in efficiency and productivity.
• Customer & Business Focus: Ensure factory performance meets customer requirements for quality, delivery, and cost competitiveness, while supporting growth strategies and new product launches.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and deploy factory activity plans, set KPIs, and monitor progress toward operational and financial targets.
• People Development: Foster a high-engagement culture, coach leaders in Lean thinking, and build capabilities for continuous improvement.
• Compliance & Sustainability: Guarantee adherence to SKF standards, health & safety regulations, and environmental requirements.

What We’re Looking For.

• University degree, preferably in Engineering.
• Proven experience in manufacturing leadership, with a strong track record in Lean transformation and continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of SKF Production System or similar Lean-based systems.
• Strong customer focus, business acumen, and ability to translate strategy into operational results.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written).
• Preferred: Knowledge of rubber molding processes.
• The role reports directly to the Head of Seals Americas and forms part of the Seals Americas leadership team.

About SKF Seals and Zapopan Factory.

SKF Seals is an independent business unit within the SKF Group, serving global Industrial and Automotive customers with advanced sealing solutions. With over 3,500 employees worldwide, we combine deep material knowledge, cutting-edge molding technologies, and digitalization to deliver high-performance products for customers in over 40 industries worldwide. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the business unit is driving decarbonized operations and net-zero ambitions, while fostering close collaboration with customers to co-create solutions that meet evolving market needs.

SKF’s Zapopan factory, inaugurated in 2016 and strategically located in Guadalajara, is the largest manufacturing site for SKF in Mexico. As a LEED-certified facility, it plays a pivotal role within the SKF Seals business unit, delivering advanced sealing solutions to regional and global industrial customers. Renowned for its commitment to operational excellence and lean manufacturing, Zapopan is poised for ongoing growth, supporting industrial OEMs and aftermarket needs throughout the Americas and beyond.