Head of Procurement

Kalmbach Feeds Inc•Upper Sandusky, OH

About The Position

As K9 & Kin continues to grow, we are seeking a strategic and driven leader to oversee our sourcing and supply chain strategies. We are looking for the right person to own this function; whether you are a seasoned Director or a high-performing Manager ready to step up and lead, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact. Reporting to the leadership team, you will be responsible for developing and executing procurement initiatives that align with company growth, margin targets, and product innovation goals. You will lead end-to-end sourcing for raw materials, ingredients, and packaging while building a resilient, diversified supplier base to mitigate risk.

Requirements

Experience: You have progressive experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management. We are open to candidates with a proven record of success at the Manager level who are ready to lead, as well as experienced Directors looking for a high-impact role.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Operations, Agriculture, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field is preferred.
Strategist: You can demonstrate how you have developed strategies to drive margin growth and mitigate supply chain risks.
Negotiator: You are skilled in identifying and qualifying strategic partnerships, prioritizing transparency, reliability, and cost competitiveness.
Analytical: You are comfortable forecasting budgets, analyzing variances, and driving cost-reduction opportunities through data-driven decision-making.
Collaborator: You communicate clearly and partner effectively with Quality Assurance, Nutrition, and Operations teams to align sourcing with internal standards and customer demand.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Leadership: Develop and execute a procurement strategy aligned with company growth, margin targets, and product innovation goals. Lead end-to-end sourcing of raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and indirect spend to support pet food manufacturing operations.
Supplier Management & Negotiation: Identify, qualify, and manage strategic supplier partnerships with a focus on quality, transparency, reliability, and cost competitiveness. Drive supplier performance through KPIs, scorecards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Cost Control & Margin Optimization: Own ingredient and packaging cost management, including forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Collaborate with finance and operations to identify cost-reduction opportunities without compromising product quality or nutritional integrity.
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all sourced materials meet AAFCO guidelines, FDA regulations, and internal quality standards. Partner closely with Quality Assurance, Nutrition, and Regulatory teams to approve suppliers, specifications, and change management.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Support innovation initiatives by sourcing new ingredients, functional additives, and packaging solutions aligned with brand positioning. Align procurement decisions with manufacturing capabilities, inventory strategy, and customer demand.