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.

Job Summary

The Global Category Manager, Logistics leads the development and execution of global category strategies across North America, EMEA, APAC, and India, overseeing approximately $67 million in annual spend. The role drives competitive advantage through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, contract governance, and logistics network optimization, delivering measurable business value via savings, service improvements, working‑capital optimization, and supply‑chain resiliency initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and governance of global logistics category strategies across NAM, EMEA, and APAC.
• Own sourcing and contract management for parcel, 3PL services, truckload, LTL, flatbed, dry van, air freight, ocean freight, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution, and freight‑pay/audit providers.
• Develop annual sourcing roadmaps, project pipelines, and category strategies aligned with business objectives and cost‑reduction goals.
• Deliver approximately $2 million annually in hard savings while driving cost avoidance, lead‑time reductions, inflation mitigation, working‑capital, and DPO improvements.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to define requirements, develop SOWs, and prepare for RFPs and negotiations.
• Lead global RFx events, supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and commercial discussions.
• Serve as global category lead and NAM category owner, coordinating regional sourcing teams in EMEA and APAC.
• Partner with Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution, Operations, Finance, Legal, and regional stakeholders to execute strategic initiatives.
• Assist with Freight Pay & Audit supplier relationships, leveraging analytics to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Track savings, project execution, and value realization using Amplify and related sourcing tools.
• Utilize transportation management systems, freight audit data, market intelligence, AI‑enabled analytics, and sourcing technologies to identify optimization opportunities.
• 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 per delegation‑of‑authority requirements.
• Lead cross‑functional meetings focused on service improvements, operational efficiencies, supplier performance, and cost‑reduction opportunities.
• Conduct 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 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 in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (required); MBA preferred.
• 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 their impact on 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, performance programs, and executive‑level business reviews in a global environment.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels without direct authority; excellent verbal, written, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Advanced analytical and financial skills, including cost modeling, scenario analysis, total cost of ownership evaluations, budgeting, invoicing, accounts payable processes, and value‑realization tracking.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, bid analysis, scenario modeling, data visualization, executive reporting).
• Proficiency with SAP, e‑sourcing platforms, spend‑analytics tools, contract management systems, and other procurement technologies.
• Commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethics, safety, and compliance with corporate policies and supplier‑governance requirements.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident. Applications from individuals who do not meet this citizenship requirement will not be considered.