Production Group Lead-US

Kennametal; Bedford (Bedford County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennametal Bedford, PA seeks a Production Group Lead to supervise the shift, coordinate staffing, coach teams, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will ensure safety and quality, manage training, tool changes, and KPI communication (SQDC), while partnering with supervisors and engineers to optimize tooling, processes and layouts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience in a production setting.
• 3+ years as a team lead in Braze or Machining departments.
• Forklift license required.
• Strong ability to understand written and oral instructions and communicate with leadership.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and SAP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as working lead and trainer across the shift with minimal supervision.
• Drive continuous improvement projects including cycle time reduction and scrap mitigation.
• Own shift staffing plans, rotations and cross-training.
• Lead meetings, share KPIs, set priorities, and ensure action closure.
• Coach and document development plans; perform performance assessments.
• Collaborate with supervisors and engineers on tooling and process changes.
• Ensure compliance with EHS, 5S and housekeeping; maintain audit readiness.
• Train staff across Levels 1-4 and maintain certification records.
• Manage SPC stations and tooling-related tasks; assist maintenance for machine moves.
• Support Acme Gridley rebuilds and fixture design for CNC areas.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

People leadership

Team lead in Braze/Machining

Forklift license

Communication skills

Written/oral instruction comprehension

Microsoft Office

SAP

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

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.

Production Group Lead

Bedford, PA 1st shift: 7am- 3pm (M-F)

Purpose Of The Position

This position works under the supervision of the Manufacturing Manager and/or Plant Manager and/or shift manufacturing supervisor as needed. Duties are performed without constant supervision. Assignments are made daily and results are reviewed daily.

Knowledge And Experience

• High school diploma or general equivalent diploma
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a Mfg. setting
• Minimum of 3 years in all Braze or Machining dept. as team lead
• Ability to understand written and oral instructions and communicate with leaders, manager, supervisors and coworkers
• Forklift operator license required
• Computer experience required (Microsoft products and SAP preferred)
• People leadership skills
• First aid / First responder training will be required for this role

Key Job Accountabilities

• Act as working lead/trainer across the functional area; provide daily leadership with minimal to no supervision.
• Drive continuous improvement projects (cycle time reduction, scrap mitigation, ergonomics, layout/flow).
• Own shift staffing plans, job rotations, and cross-training aligned to demand and skills matrix.
• Lead tier meetings; communicate KPIs (SQDC), priorities, and escalations; ensure action closure.
• Conduct skills/performance assessments; provide coaching/feedback and document development plans.
• Partner with supervisors and engineers on changes to programs, tooling, and process controls.
• Ensure compliance to EHS requirements, audits, and incident response; champion 5S and housekeeping.
• Maintain audit readiness - documentation accuracy, gauge controls, lot traceability, and labeling/packaging.
• Train all tasks across Levels 1-4; maintain training matrices and certification records.
• Manage SPC stations.
• Manage Tool Boss.
• Assist maintenance when moving machines.
• Perform run off at factory for Acme Gridley rebuilds.
• Install cams and rolls for Acme Gridley machine during rebuilds at factory.
• Help with designing fixtures for CNC area.
• Demonstrate all Level 4 tasks successfully

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.