Corporate Real Estate Manager

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.

Job Title: Corporate Real Estate Manager

Location: Latrobe, PA (Hybrid)

Job Summary:

Leads the global commodity categories of global Corporate Real Estate and administration of Travel & Expense (T&E card) and Personal Expense (P-card) Cards. This position manages Kennametal's global portfolio of 120+ properties, leading lease negotiations and transactions while partnering with business and executive stakeholders to align real estate strategy and execute through external service providers. It involves developing and implementing strategic sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, and driving cost savings initiatives as well as liaising with cross-functional teams, monitoring market trends, and ensuring compliance with regulations and internal policies. The Manager Commodities contributes to optimizing procurement processes, managing risks, and delivering value in Real Estate globally.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Leads the development, implementation, and governance of sourcing strategies for Global Real Estate categories commodity
• Liaise with regional sourcing groups (Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and India) to understand local requirements and ensure proper support as needed.
• Develops detailed knowledge and understanding of cost drivers and service processes related to assigned commodity categories and leverages this knowledge to optimize value for Kennametal.
• Manage sourcing activities for Corporate Real Estate and related categories, including supplier selection, contract negotiation (leases, renewals, subleases, terminations, and purchase/sale agreements), and ongoing supplier performance management to deliver cost savings and mitigate risk.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of Kennametal's global real estate portfolio (120+ sites), including lease administration, transaction execution, due diligence, and support for site selection, acquisitions, divestitures, and closures.
• Partner closely with business units, finance, legal, and regional sourcing teams to understand requirements, align on portfolio plans, and ensure real estate and sourcing activities meet operational, financial, and strategic needs.
• Execute real estate transactions by coordinating with external service providers (e.g., brokers, developers, legal counsel, appraisers, and project managers) and leveraging market knowledge to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Implement and maintain standardized processes, tools, and governance for sourcing, real estate transactions, due diligence, reporting, and compliance, ensuring consistency across regions.
• Support capital planning and project execution, including developing timelines, preparing business cases, and assisting with executive presentations to secure approvals.
• Track and report on key performance metrics (e.g., cost savings, service levels, delivery, working capital, and efficiency), using data and insights to identify improvement opportunities and support decision-making.
• Develop and communicate Corporate Real Estate (CRE) policies and processes, ensuring alignment with functions such as EHS, Security, and Facilities, and supporting compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Provide ongoing consulting and support to business units on real estate strategy, portfolio optimization, and future space planning needs.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and broader sourcing projects, including process optimization, supplier development, and leveraging tools to enhance efficiency and value delivery.
• Act as corporate credit card administrator for travel and expense and personal expense cards.

Education, Work Experience, Skills, Certificates:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree (RQ) in Supply Chain, Finance/Accounting, Engineering or Business; MBA (PF)
• Experience: 5+ years in Strategic Sourcing (RQ) with 3+ years of Global Real Estate (PF).
• Certifications: CPSM (PF)
• Proficiency: MS Office, Excel, Word & PowerPoint (RQ), SAP (PF)
• Maintains the highest level of integrity, ethics commitment to safety and compliance to KMT's code of conduct; role models these behaviors for suppliers.
• Proven experience in leading and developing the sourcing capabilities of the team, comfortable leading through influence, skilled in all forms of communication.
• Demonstrates an understanding of internal business processes, external customer segments, strategic direction and business objectives. Aligns business objectives and develops sources of supply based on strategic direction.
• Understands organization of internal customer groups, key users and characteristics of these customers. Drives to understand customer requirements and uses this information as an input into sourcing decisions. Develops and fosters mutually beneficial customer relationships.
• Skilled in analytics; leverages ERP software & raw data to organize and prioritize information for decision making.
• Understands financial concepts including invoices, accounts payable and other financial business processes. Interprets financial data, analyzes cost structures, and determines financial impacts of decisions.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills (both verbal & written); and possesses excellent project management skills

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer