Global Category Manager, Logistics

About Kennametal

With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Job Title: Global Category Manager, Logistics

Location: Pittsburgh, PA or Latrobe, PA

Job Summary:

The Manager Category Manager, Logistics leads the development and execution of global category strategies across North America, EMEA, APAC, and India with responsibility for approximately $67M in annual spend. The role is accountable for driving competitive advantage through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, contract governance, and logistics network optimization. Delivers measurable business value through savings, service improvements, working capital optimization, and supply chain resiliency initiatives.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Lead development, implementation, and governance of global logistics category strategies across NAM, EMEA, and APAC.
• Own sourcing and contract management activities for parcel, 3PL services, truckload, LTL, flatbed, dry van, air freight, ocean freight, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution, and freight pay and audit providers.
• Develop annual sourcing roadmaps, project pipelines, and category strategies aligned with business objectives and it relates to service and cost reductions.
• Deliver approximately $2M annually through hard savings; while also driving cost avoidance, lead time reductions, inflation mitigation, working capital, and DPO improvement initiatives.
• Work cross functionally with various business functions to define requirements, develop SOWs in preparation for RFPs and negotiations.
• Lead global RFx events, supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and commercial discussions. Serve as the global category lead and NAM category owner while coordinating regional sourcing support teams in EMEA and APAC.
• Partner closely with Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution, Operations, Finance, Legal, and regional stakeholders to develop and execute strategic initiatives.
• Assist with the Freight Pay & Audit supplier relationship and leverage analytics to identify sourcing opportunities and support decision-making.
• Track savings, project execution, and value realization through Amplify and related sourcing tools.
• Leverage transportation management systems, freight audit data, market intelligence, AI-enabled analytics, and sourcing technologies to identify optimization opportunities and improve business performance.
• Analyze transportation and logistics market conditions, cost drivers, carrier trends, capacity changes, and inflationary impacts to develop proactive strategies.
• Develop expertise in transportation rating methodologies, freight movement processes, Incoterms, and commercial logistics structures.
• Prepare executive presentations, business cases, contract approval packages, and sourcing recommendations in accordance with delegation of authority requirements.
• Lead cross-functional meetings focused on service improvements, operational efficiencies, supplier performance, and cost reduction opportunities.
• Lead executive-level supplier relationship management, business reviews, performance scorecards, and continuous improvement initiatives with strategic logistics providers.
• Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations and negotiate corrective actions when service, cost, or compliance issues arise.
• Support enterprise sustainability objectives through transportation optimization, mode conversion, network efficiency improvements, and carrier sustainability initiatives.
• Support broader sourcing and special projects outside logistics categories as business needs require.
• Leverage SAP, spend analytics tools, contract repositories, sourcing systems, PO systems, savings trackers, and logistics data platforms to drive insights and results.

Education, Work Experience, Skills, Certificates:

• Minimum of 5+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, logistics, transportation, freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, or supply chain experience, including 3+ years leading global sourcing initiatives and category strategies.
• Bachelor’s Degree (RQ) in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering; MBA (PF)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute global category strategies, lead complex sourcing initiatives, and deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance, service improvements, and working capital benefits.
• Deep understanding of logistics and distribution operations, transportation networks, warehousing processes, freight economics, and how logistics strategies influence cost, service, inventory performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Proven experience negotiating complex commercial agreements across parcel, 3PL, freight forwarding, air, ocean, truckload, LTL, warehousing, customs brokerage, and related logistics services.
• Strong knowledge of transportation markets, carrier pricing methodologies, logistics cost drivers, market indices, Incoterms, and global supply chain operations.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships, supplier performance programs, and executive-level business reviews within a global environment.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization without direct authority; excellent verbal, written, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to navigate complex global organizations and effectively collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal, Engineering, and commercial teams to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Advanced analytical and financial skills, including cost modeling, scenario analysis, total cost of ownership evaluations, capital and operating expense analysis, budgeting, invoicing, accounts payable processes, and value realization tracking.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, bid analysis, scenario modeling, data visualization, and executive reporting.
• Proficiency with SAP, e-sourcing platforms, spend analytics tools, contract management systems, and other procurement technologies.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethics, safety, and compliance with corporate policies and supplier governance requirements.

Due to the nature of the operations at this facility, consideration as an applicant is limited to individuals who are either a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident. An expression of interest from anyone who is not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident will not proceed for consideration as an applicant.

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.