Emerge Program Associate - Operations / Technology
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.
Emerging Leadership Program – EMERGE
Kennametal’s Emerging Leadership Program EMERGE is an early‑career leadership development program focused on building emerging leaders through diverse experiences to expand perspectives, develop functional expertise, and accelerate career development. The immersive program lasts 2 years and includes diverse functional rotations within Kennametal’s Operations, Technology, or Commercial business tracks. Participants must be willing to relocate or travel during the program. Upon completion, placement will be into a role based on strengths, interests, and business needs at that time.
Program Tracks
Operations Track – focuses on manufacturing and includes functional opportunities such as:
- Materials Management
- Manufacturing Process Improvement
- Supervisory Skills
- Lean and Continuous Improvement
- Environmental, Health & Safety
- Application Engineering
- Project Management
- SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Leadership and Daily Management
- Data Analytics
- Supply Chain
- Sourcing
Technology Track – develops innovative materials, products, and processes and includes functional opportunities such as:
- Material Science – Grade Specification and Development
- Product Engineering
- Design Engineering
- Estimating Engineering
- Process Development
- Additive Manufacturing
- Smart Factory
- Metrology
- Process Development – Coordinating Product Moves from One Facility to Another
- Advanced Machining Solutions
- Manufacturing Process Improvement
- Project Management
Commercial Track – combines technical and business mindset to deliver valuable products, solutions, and know‑how to customers.
Program Highlights
- 1‑week corporate onboarding and assimilation including leadership series, philanthropic activities, introduction to professional development trainings and plant site visits.
- Formalized mentorship program with a separate career and peer mentor.
- Robust and rewarding rotations within functional tracks (most rotations require both corporate and plant assignments).
- Ongoing learning journey to enhance technical, professional and leadership acumen.
- Working side‑by‑side with other professionals at various locations and levels of the organization to develop a strong foundation and skillset.
Program Eligibility
- Completing final academic year in one of the areas of study: STEM, Operational Excellence, Supply Chain, Business, or other related field of study.
- Strong organization, facilitation, leadership, project management and communication skills.
- Strong analytical approach to problem solving.
- Candidates with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 preferred.