Global Product Manager

About Kennametal

With over 80 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. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Titel: Global Product Manager

Region: EMEA

 

Since 1938, Kennametal has been the industry’s partner of choice in tungsten carbides, ceramics and super-hard material solutions for use in metal cutting and extreme wear applications. As such, Kennametal has developed a broad portfolio of engineered tungsten carbide metalworking tools and products used in the energy, earthworks, aerospace and automotive markets. The role of the Global Product Manager is a key strategic role for Kennametal’s Infrastructure business unit. This role typically encompasses market research, product category management, strategic pricing, marketing, product roadmaps, cost efficiency and strategic planning with a focus on portfolios out of Essen and Mistelgau along with collaboration on global product lines. The Global Product Manager will work closely with regional commercial and operations to develop and implement plans that align the resources of the company against the customer’s needs in the segment and is ultimately responsible for the day-to-day management of their portfolio of products.

 

Key Job Responsibilities:

 

• Provide overall direction for $60M for cutting tool blanks, hobs, centrifuge, custom wear, metalforming blanks, mill rolls, rods, and wear tiles
• Develop market intelligence for growth and core markets
• Develop sales tools in form of value propositions, playbooks and content for marketing communication
• Support the commercial/financial side of product development products
• Scout market and technology trends to foster developments
• Support regional business with AOP/STRAP/AIP
• Responsibility for regional product portfolio positioning, value proposition development, product lifecycle, capturing voice-of-customer, messaging, marketing and branding, along with alignment with global strategy and positioning.
• Work directly with regional sales leaders, Market Portfolio Manager, and finance partners to plan and forecast bookings and revenue across the portfolio of products
• Work directly with regional sales leaders, Market Portfolio Manager, business unit leaders, and on an independent basis to develop and deploy pricing programs and methodologies 
• Measure and report out on key product initiatives, activities and progress.
• Provide marketing, sales and technology input for new product development, upgrades or launches.
• Identify emerging issues relevant to area of accountability and adjusts execution plan to address issues

 

Requirements:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree is a plus.

• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in product management, preferably in manufacturing or industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, or energy.
• Strong experience in managing product portfolios, including pricing strategies, product lifecycle management, and market research.
• Proven track record of managing large portfolios with mu