About this role
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 . Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Senior Manager Operational Excellence (m/w/d)
About the role
- We are looking for an experienced Regional Operational Excellence Manager / Senior Manager to lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives across our EMEA manufacturing sites.
- In this role, you will be responsible for deploying global Lean strategies at the regional level, developing Operational Excellence capabilities across multiple sites, and supporting manufacturing teams in improving operational performance.
- Working closely with Plant Managers, Manufacturing Directors and local OpEx teams, you will drive a culture of continuous improvement, promote best practices and ensure consistent application of Lean methodologies across the region.
- This is a regional leadership position combining strategic responsibility, hands-on operational involvement and people development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the deployment of global Operational Excellence and Lean strategies across EMEA manufacturing sites.
- Develop and strengthen Lean capabilities within local teams, supporting sites in becoming more autonomous in continuous improvement.
- Coach and support Plant Managers, Production Managers and local OpEx teams in implementing Lean methodologies and driving operational improvements.
- Lead and facilitate Kaizen workshops, Gemba activities and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Monitor operational performance across the region, identify improvement opportunities and drive action plans.
- Support improvements in key manufacturing KPIs.
- Ensure consistent implementation of Lean standards, methodologies and best practices across manufacturing sites.
- Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration between sites, facilitating the exchange of successful improvement initiatives.
- Support change management initiatives and engaging stakeholders at different organizational levels.
- Monitor Lean-related budgets, performance indicators and progress against regional improvement targets.
- Provide support to manufacturing sites facing operational challenges, including leading task forces and developing recovery action plans.
- Contribute to global Operational Excellence initiatives and the continuous development of Lean standards and tools.
- What We Are Looking For Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (including Industrial Engineering), Manufacturing, or related discipline.
- At least 10 years of working experience including 5+ years of managerial experience in manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, etc., with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence.
- Proven experience leading to continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience managing or supporting multiple manufacturing sites and working with cross-functional, international teams.
- Strong practical knowledge and experience of Lean Manufacturing methodologies and tools, including but not limited to: 5S and workplace organization Standard Works Kanban and Pull Systems SMED TPM Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Strong leadership, communication, change management, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive organizational change and build a continuous improvement culture.
- Strong analytical skills and experience working with operational performance metrics.
- Nice to Have Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience with Smart Factory, Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Experience leading regional or multi-site Operational Excellence programs.
- Background in industrial manufacturing, metalworking, automotive or machinery industries.
- Additional Information Regional responsibility covering multiple manufacturing sites across EMEA.
- The target office location is Vohenstrauss plant.
- Regular domestic including international travels expected to account for approximately 20–50% of working time.
- Direct reporting line to the Global Operational Excellence Director.
- Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.