Key Account Specialist-US

WIDIA; Reading (Berks County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennametal Inc. is seeking a CNC Machinist Sales and Application Engineer to drive metal-cutting tool sales within an assigned territory in the U.S. Southeast region. The role blends hands-on machining knowledge with sales and technical support to expand customer relationships.

The role is based from a home office within the territory, with 80%+ fieldwork at customer sites. A company vehicle and a competitive package accompany the base salary and performance bonuses.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in CNC machining industry or related field
• 1-2 years of technical sales and/or application experience preferred
• Proficient in product knowledge, including applications and troubleshooting
• Detail-oriented with strong contract review and project specs

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed revenue targets by providing metal cutting solutions
• Generate and manage sales leads, prospects, and new accounts
• Lead the full sales process from prospecting to closing
• Develop strategic territory plans to deliver revenue goals
• Provide pre-sales technical and commercial support and demonstrations
• Maintain CRM records to ensure a healthy pipeline
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver end-to-end customer experience
• Represent Kennametal at tradeshows and events

Skills

CNC machining knowledge

Sales experience

Customer-focused

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

Technical degree or Eng/Manufacturing/Business preferred

Job description

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.

CNC Machinist Sales and Application Engineer

Location – South-Eastern Pennsylvania - Employee must be located in territory supported. Ideal locations include Allentown, Philadelphia, Redding, Lancaster or Exton.

Job Summary

Kennametal is seeking talented machinists and programmers looking to transition their career off the floor day to day into a professional sales role. If you are currently working as a machinist or have previous hands on machining and cnc programming experience, we would be very interested in speaking to you! This position is responsible for driving metal‑cutting tool sales growth with new and established customers, both direct and indirect, by managing customer relationship, providing technical direction/support, and increasing productivity for our customers. This role combines technical knowledge and sales skills to achieve sales targets, build strong territory presence and pipeline. This role will partner with multiple internal sales and support professionals to support the customers’ initiatives and technical needs. Sales and Application Engineers work on unique challenges related to cnc machining, milling, and lathe applications. The role is based from a home office within the assigned territory, but 80% or more of the week is spent out in the field at customer locations. A company vehicle is provided as part of top of market compensation package which includes a base salary plus bonus based on performance, and benefits starting day 1.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed revenue targets by:
• Effectively providing metal cutting solutions, by understanding current and future market trends, to meet customers’ key needs and objectives in a professional manner.
• Generating, qualifying, and managing all sales leads, prospects, and new customer accounts.
• Proactively managing the complete sales process, including prospecting, qualification, consultative sales meetings, product demos, pricing, terms negotiations, and sourcing.
• Developing and executing strategic territory plans to deliver revenue goals with a focus on new product sales.
• Providing timely answers to pre‑sales technical and commercial queries from customers.
• Maintaining up‑to‑date customer and project records in CRM to ensure a clean and healthy pipeline
• Actively collaborating with internal sales and support professionals, such as Application Engineers, Channel Partner Reps, Inside Sales, and others to provide value and a positive end‑to‑end customer experience.
• Performing online and/or onsite demonstrations of metal cutting products tailored to customers’ needs.
• Conducting pre‑sales workshops, webinars, and other online/onsite events within the territory.
• Representing and promoting Kennametal at tradeshows, conferences, and other events within the territory.
• Delivering cost savings through analysis of complex application needs and providing recommendations to support customer business need through tooling and application testing.
• Preparing and presenting progress, status, and forecasting reports.

Requirements

• Technical degree or Degree in Business, Manufacturing and/or Engineering preferred
• 3+ years of related cnc machining industry experience, 1-2 years of technical sales and/or application experience preferred
• Proficient in product knowledge, including applications and troubleshooting; can taylor solutions to meet customer needs
• Solid grasp of industry dynamics; effectively aligns product solutions with customer needs and industry trends
• Competent in a range of sales techniques, including advanced objection handling and closing strategies; adapts approach to various customer types
• Independently executes strategic sales plans; contributes to the development of strategies and meets targets through insightful planning
• Possess solid critical thinking, presentation, and administrative skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Customer‑focused mindset with a passion for problem‑solving and delivering exceptional service
• Detail‑oriented to manage contract review and discuss project specifications
• Creative and persuasive with the ability to think at both tactical and strategic levels
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively across all departments

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.