Kennametal Appoints Amanda Cole as New Chief Human Resources Officer as Judith Bacchus Retires
Kennametal Inc. has announced a significant leadership change as Amanda Cole is appointed the new Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective July 21, 2026. This move comes as Judith Bacchus, a dedicated leader for over two decades, prepares for retirement around October 1, 2026.
In welcoming Cole to her new role, Sanjay Chowbey, President and CEO of Kennametal, expressed confidence in her abilities, highlighting her extensive experience of more than 20 years in creating enterprise-wide transformations. Before joining Kennametal, Cole served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Wesco International, where she played a pivotal role in managing talent strategies across diverse sectors, including electrical and digital functions.
Chowbey praised Cole as an accomplished HR leader, emphasizing her technical expertise and her talent for fostering continuous improvement. He noted that her appointment represents a strategic step towards enhancing the company’s culture, developing capabilities, and driving overall performance within Kennametal's global operations.
Judith Bacchus has been a stalwart at Kennametal since her arrival in 2006, contributing significantly to the company’s growth by enhancing its global talent strategy and advancing its cultural framework. Her leadership has also encompassed critical areas such as communications, environmental health, safety, and quality assurance. Chowbey publicly thanked Bacchus for her invaluable contributions and dedication to Kennametal. He assured that the transition would be seamless, aided by the collaboration between her and Cole in the months leading to Bacchus's retirement.
As the new Chief Human Resources Officer, Cole will oversee all HR functions worldwide. Her responsibilities encompass managing corporate communications and ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards. Cole’s history at Wesco International saw her extensively involved in HR strategies for a multibillion-dollar global business unit, directly supporting a workforce of approximately 6,500 individuals across the globe.
Cole’s previous experience includes various leadership positions within Wesco, where she honed her skills in Lean methodologies and process improvement. Moreover, her career started at Newell Rubbermaid, where she took on roles as a Project Manager and Manufacturing Engineer. Bolstering her qualifications, Cole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Baltimore.
Kennametal, now a recognized leader in the industrial technology sector for over 85 years, focuses on enhancing productivity through materials science and advanced tooling solutions. With a workforce of roughly 8,100 employees, the company serves customers in nearly 100 countries, generating approximately $2 billion in revenue during the 2025 fiscal year. Kennametal remains committed to delivering precision and efficiency across sectors such as aerospace, defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering, and transportation.
As Amanda Cole steps into her new role, stakeholders are eager to see how her leadership will foster a more robust workforce and drive Kennametal to new heights, ensuring that the company maintains its competitive edge in a dynamic global market.
In welcoming Cole to her new role, Sanjay Chowbey, President and CEO of Kennametal, expressed confidence in her abilities, highlighting her extensive experience of more than 20 years in creating enterprise-wide transformations. Before joining Kennametal, Cole served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Wesco International, where she played a pivotal role in managing talent strategies across diverse sectors, including electrical and digital functions.
Chowbey praised Cole as an accomplished HR leader, emphasizing her technical expertise and her talent for fostering continuous improvement. He noted that her appointment represents a strategic step towards enhancing the company’s culture, developing capabilities, and driving overall performance within Kennametal's global operations.
Judith Bacchus has been a stalwart at Kennametal since her arrival in 2006, contributing significantly to the company’s growth by enhancing its global talent strategy and advancing its cultural framework. Her leadership has also encompassed critical areas such as communications, environmental health, safety, and quality assurance. Chowbey publicly thanked Bacchus for her invaluable contributions and dedication to Kennametal. He assured that the transition would be seamless, aided by the collaboration between her and Cole in the months leading to Bacchus's retirement.
As the new Chief Human Resources Officer, Cole will oversee all HR functions worldwide. Her responsibilities encompass managing corporate communications and ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards. Cole’s history at Wesco International saw her extensively involved in HR strategies for a multibillion-dollar global business unit, directly supporting a workforce of approximately 6,500 individuals across the globe.
Cole’s previous experience includes various leadership positions within Wesco, where she honed her skills in Lean methodologies and process improvement. Moreover, her career started at Newell Rubbermaid, where she took on roles as a Project Manager and Manufacturing Engineer. Bolstering her qualifications, Cole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Baltimore.
Kennametal, now a recognized leader in the industrial technology sector for over 85 years, focuses on enhancing productivity through materials science and advanced tooling solutions. With a workforce of roughly 8,100 employees, the company serves customers in nearly 100 countries, generating approximately $2 billion in revenue during the 2025 fiscal year. Kennametal remains committed to delivering precision and efficiency across sectors such as aerospace, defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering, and transportation.
As Amanda Cole steps into her new role, stakeholders are eager to see how her leadership will foster a more robust workforce and drive Kennametal to new heights, ensuring that the company maintains its competitive edge in a dynamic global market.
Topics General Business）
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