Sweden – October 2024 – Gautam Kumar has been appointed as the Director HR, Independent & Emerging Business at AB SKF within the SKF Group. In his new role, Gautam will oversee HR functions across six global independent and emerging business units, including Seals, Lubrication, Aerospace, Marine, Magnetic Bearings, and RecondOil. He will be responsible for driving people experience, strategic HR planning, digital and data literacy, and cultural transformation across these units.
Prior to this role, Gautam served as the Business Director for Industrial Business in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines at SKF Group, where he held P&L responsibilities and led business growth initiatives. Before that, he was the CHRO & Director HR for the Industrial Region of India, Southeast Asia, and Australia/NZ, spearheading HR strategies across multiple geographies. His tenure at SKF was marked by significant cultural advancements, including positioning SKF India among the Top 25 Best Companies to Work for in 2023.
Before joining SKF, Gautam was with Baxter International Inc., where he worked as Director of HR for India Commercial, Global Centers, and Manufacturing Plants. He also served as HR Director for Emerging Asia, driving HR initiatives across markets like Singapore, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. His HR leadership extended to talent development, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness, contributing to Baxter’s growth in the region.
Earlier in his career, Gautam worked at Whirlpool Corporation for nearly a decade, holding several HR leadership roles, including Director HR for India Business and General Manager, Corporate HR for Asia. At Whirlpool, he was instrumental in developing and implementing HR strategies across China, Hong Kong, India, and Oceania. His career journey also includes roles at Xerox India, where he was an HR Manager, and Jubilant Life Sciences, where he began as a Management Trainee.
About SKF Group
SKF Group, founded in 1907 with the invention of the self-aligning bearing, has grown into a leading global manufacturer of bearing and rotation solutions. SKF plays a crucial role in diverse industries, providing innovative solutions for machinery, automotive, aerospace, and more. With a strong focus on digitalization, the company has ventured into sensorized bearings, condition monitoring, and connected factories, offering cutting-edge opportunities in a rapidly evolving industry.
Read Also : Cultivating Safe Spaces: The Strategic Role of L&D in Workplace Well-being