Head - Sourcing, MSG

Job Description

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.

Job Title: Head – Sourcing

Job Summary

The Head – Sourcing will be responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies to comply with Global and India sourcing policy. To ensure cost-effective procurement, high-quality standards, timely deliveries, and long-term supplier partnerships. This position calls for a high level of values, ethics, and integrity in all business dealings. The incumbent will lead the sourcing, purchase, and vendor development teams and play a key role in strategic decision-making to support business goals in productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Key Job Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Formulate and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Develop global and domestic supplier bases for key components (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fabricated, machined).
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through value engineering, negotiation, and supplier optimization.
• Implement risk management processes to ensure supply continuity.
  
  

• Identify, qualify, and develop reliable suppliers with a focus on quality, cost, and delivery.
• Establish long-term vendor partnerships ensuring technological alignment and performance improvement.
• Conduct supplier audits and performance evaluations.
  
  

• Oversee day-to-day purchase operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and statutory compliances.
• Ensure timely availability of materials to meet production schedules.
• Drive procurement excellence through process standardization and system integration.
• Ensure full compliance with ethical sourcing practices and sustainability guidelines.
  
  

• Formulate and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Develop global and domestic supplier bases for key components (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fabricated, machined).
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through value engineering, negotiation, and supplier optimization.
• Implement risk management processes to ensure supply continuity.
  
  

• Identify, qualify, and develop reliable suppliers with a focus on quality, cost, and delivery.
• Establish long-term vendor partnerships ensuring technological alignment and performance improvement.
• Conduct supplier audits and performance evaluations.
  
  

• Oversee day-to-day purchase operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and statutory compliances.
• Ensure timely availability of materials to meet production schedules.
• Drive procurement excellence through process standardization and system integration.
• Ensure full compliance with ethical sourcing practices and sustainability guidelines.
  
  

• Manage annual sourcing budgets and monitor material cost trends.
• Negotiate contracts, Incoterms, and pricing to optimize working capital.
• Collaborate with finance to monitor supplier payment cycles and cost analysis.
  
  

• Leverage SAP for procurement planning, purchase order management, and supplier tracking.
• Ensure continuous improvement and digitalization of procurement processes.
  
  

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional sourcing team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Build capability within the team through training in negotiation, cost analysis, and supplier management.
  
  

• Annual cost reduction achievement (%).
• On-time delivery and supplier performance index.
• Supplier quality metrics (rejection rates).
• Procurement process compliance score.
• Inventory turnover and material availability.
• Employee engagement and team development scores.
  
  

• 20 years of total experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role as Head of Sourcing / Purchase in a Capital Goods / Machine Tool / Heavy Engineering organization.
  
  

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• Postgraduate qualification in Materials Management / Production / Supply Chain Management.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, Foundry processes, machining, fabrication, hydraulics, and assembly.
• Proficiency in SAP-MM / S4 HANA