Manufacturing Plant Manager

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. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Plant Manager

As the Plant Manager, you will serve as the key leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality assurance, and workforce development. Your role is to ensure that manufacturing processes run reliably and efficiently while driving initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce waste, and foster employee engagement.
You will lead the manufacturing plant with integrity and excellence, cultivating a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to deliver high-quality products on time and at optimal cost, while empowering our workforce and contributing to the long-term success of the organization.
Lead plant operations using Lean principles to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and improve flow, utilizing tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Standard Work.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement by engaging teams in problem-solving and process optimization.
Build high-performing teams that take ownership of quality, safety, and productivity.
Promote a zero-incident safety culture through proactive risk identification and mitigation.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company safety standards.
Quality Assurance
Implement Lean quality systems to detect and prevent defects at the source.
Use root cause analysis and corrective actions to resolve quality issues.
Production Efficiency
Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, and takt time.
Balance production lines and optimize resource utilization to meet customer demand.
Cost Management
Collaborate with finance and supply chain teams to manage budgets and improve cost efficiency.
Visual Management & Metrics
Use visual controls and dashboards to communicate performance and progress.
Align plant goals with corporate strategy through Hoshin Kanri (policy deployment).
Support long-term growth through capacity planning and Lean transformation initiatives.
Leadership & Team Building
Proficient in conflict resolution and performance management.
Skilled in aligning plant operations with broader business goals.
Capable of long-term planning and decision-making.
Data-driven decision-making using KPIs and operational metrics.
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities.
Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, HR, and supply chain teams.
Project Management
Planning and executing improvement projects on time and within budget.
Managing capital projects and technology upgrades.
Navigating change and uncertainty in dynamic manufacturing environments.
Financial/Business Accountability

Budget Management
Develop and manage the plant’s operating budget, including labor, materials, maintenance, and overhead.
Track and report savings from continuous improvement projects.
Capital Expenditure Planning
Evaluate and justify capital investments for equipment, technology upgrades, and facility improvements.
Inventory & Working Capital Control
Optimize inventory levels to reduce carrying costs while maintaining production continuity.
Minimize excess and obsolete inventory through demand planning and Just-In-Time (JIT) practices.
Financial Reporting & Analysis
Provide regular financial performance updates to senior leadership.
Analyze plant metrics such as cost per unit, scrap rates, and labor efficiency to inform decision-making.
Organizational Leadership & Supervision
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Manufacturing Technology
Business Administration (with a manufacturing focus)
Master’s Degree (MBA or MS in Operations/Engineering)

Technical & Operational Skills
Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma
Production Planning and Scheduling
Quality Systems and Root Cause Analysis
Equipment and Maintenance Management
SAP, Oracle)
Leadership & Business Skills
Strategic Planning and Execution
Financial Acumen (Budgeting, Cost Control, ROI Analysis)
Team Development and Performance Management
Change Management and Employee Engagement
Strong Communication and Stakeholder Management
Data-Driven Decision-Making
KPI Tracking and Performance Analysis
Must be a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident.
Will be subject to successful completion of a required security assessment and background check under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program