Manager Product Information Management

About the company

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.

About the role

Location: Remote

The Manager Product Information Management (PIM) is responsible for leading Kennametal's global Product Information Management function and team. This role drives the strategy, governance, quality, and distribution of customer-facing product data across digital channels and customer touchpoints. The Manager PIM ensures that accurate, complete, and enriched product information is delivered consistently across eCommerce platforms, websites, distributor platforms, CAD/CAM ecosystems, catalogs, and other digital customer experience channels. By partnering closely with Engineering, Global Product Management (GPM), Sales, and Digital teams, this position enables superior customer experience through high-quality product content and data structures.

This role manages an international team responsible for product information processes, data standards, and governance while driving continuous improvement initiatives that support business growth, customer satisfaction, and digital transformation objectives. The role also serves as a key customer-facing representative for product data initiatives, working directly with customers, distributors, and strategic partners to understand product content requirements and improve data models, taxonomy, and information structures that enhance customer digital experiences.

Responsibilities

• Own the creation and communication of the Product Information vision, goals, roadmap, and release plan
• Build internal and external customer partnerships to analyze customer needs, internal constraints, cost-benefit analysis, and develop product roadmap
• Develop scope and define backlog items (epics/features/user stories) that guide the scrum development team
• Refine and prioritize backlog items based on business objectives; own interface with development team to ensure execution
• Serve as key stakeholder throughout each scrum event, including planning, refinement, review, and sprint
• Manage the team to ensure accurate product data is delivered to all channels, including web, CAD/CAM partners, and distribution partner websites
• Act as ambassador for Digital Product Information internally and externally; own the Return on Investment (ROI)
• Perform audits and reports measuring data quality and completeness
• Identify gaps in product data and processes; define processes, guidance, and standards to manage product data
• Define process, roles, and required training to create a world-class product management ecosystem at Kennametal
• Research and analyze market, competitors, and best-in-class peer companies
• Increase understanding of Agile practices, Design Thinking, new technology opportunities, and other emerging trends
• Own technology initiatives around delivering optimal PIM and MDM experience
• Work closely with Business Owners / SMEs to synchronize digital product development release readiness

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, Information Management, Digital Commerce, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in Product Management, Product Information Management, Product Marketing, Portfolio Management, Commercial Excellence, Digital Commerce, Customer Experience, or a related business function
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives in a global organization
• Proven success managing complex business processes, programs, products, or platforms throughout their lifecycle
• Experience leading and developing teams in a collaborative, matrixed environment
• Strong understanding of how product information supports customer experience, digital commerce, sales enablement, and business growth
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to influence and drive alignment across functions including Engineering, Global Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and Digital teams
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering business results in a fast-paced environment
• Outstanding leadership, presentation, and relationship-building skills

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working with Product Information Management (PIM), Master Data Management (MDM), Digital Commerce, eCommerce, or related data management disciplines
• Experience with enterprise PIM platforms such as Stibo Systems, SAP, Informatica, or similar solutions
• Familiarity with product data governance, taxonomy, classification, and data quality best practices
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments
• Product Owner, Agile, Scrum, or Project Management certifications
• Experience using Jira or similar work management and collaboration tools
• Understanding of system integrations and digital product information ecosystems
• Experience supporting customer-facing digital transformation, eCommerce, or customer experience initiatives