Manager, Manufacturing

Kennametal

. Lead and manage all plant production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Posted 10/13/2026full-timeRoanoke Rapids • North Carolina • United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading plant production activities, optimizing operational efficiency, and managing departmental budgets while ensuring safety and quality standards are met. Proficient in data analysis and decision-making to support strategic business objectives in a manufacturing environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Production ManagementProcess OptimizationSAP ExperienceCross-Functional Team LeadershipAnalytical Problem-Solving

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Production ManagementProcess OptimizationData AnalysisPerformance ManagementOperational Efficiency

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsLeadershipCollaborationDecision-MakingProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

SAPMicrosoft Office Suite

Industry Keywords

Manufacturing OperationsOperational Risk ManagementBudget ManagementWorkforce PlanningSafety Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage all plant production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Develop and execute production schedules and monitor performance against established standards.
Monitor daily operations and resolve issues related to staffing, scheduling, tooling, safety, quality, and production flow.
Oversee maintenance of facility and equipment to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Provide strategic and tactical input to support achievement of business objectives.
Translate organizational strategy into actionable plans for plant operations.
Lead cross-functional initiatives and projects with broad organizational impact.
Identify emerging operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Develop, manage, and adhere to departmental budgets.
Optimize operational efficiency to minimize cost exposure while maintaining performance targets.
Oversee product and/or operational performance within a business unit ranging from approximately $50M–$300M in revenue or cost of goods sold (COGS).
Allocate resources effectively to meet short-term operational priorities.
Support organizational design and workforce planning within the functional area.
Ensure effective utilization of personnel, equipment, and materials.
Make informed decisions using data analysis, integrated thinking, and sound judgment.
Ensure decisions align with company policies, procedures, business plans, and functional objectives.
Manage risks with potential short-term impact on operations and company assets.
Provide input into broader decision-making processes within area of accountability.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or diploma from a recognized technical institution or a related field preferred.
5-8 years of relevant leadership experience in a manufacturing or operational environment.
Experience in the manufacturing industry strongly preferred.
SAP experience is required.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact across all levels of the organization.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and business objectives.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive operational improvements.
Proven experience in production management, process optimization, and performance management.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication capabilities.