Hello willstej83,
You don't have to create a vmkernel port group. The nic that you removed from the management, use it to create a virtual machine port group on a new VSS. The right click on your vCenter server and edit settings. Go to network adapter and from the drop down, select the new VM Port Group that you created. Your vCenter will be back on the network. After that you can edit it again and set it to the original port group on your vDS and add the pNIC back to the management network.
Thanks
AG