Head of Procurement - Upper Sandusky, OH, US

About the Role: · 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 s ...

Job description

About the Role:

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.

Primary 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.

 Who you are:

• 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.

Working Conditions:
This role is primarily office-based but may require periodic travel to supplier locations, manufacturing facilities, or industry events. Physical activity is generally limited to standard office environments, though site visits may involve exposure to manufacturing or agricultural settings.

About the Company:

K9 & Kin is a family-owned, U.S.-based pet food company built to develop, produce, and support a diverse portfolio of high-quality pet nutrition brands across multiple segments of the industry. Our platform is designed to serve the unique needs of the farm, feed, and specialty retail channels, delivering products that balance performance, value, and trust.

Being family-owned shapes how we operate. We take a long-term view, value relationships over transactions, and hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect from our partners. We collaborate closely with retailers and suppliers who share our commitment to reliability, transparency, and sustainable growth. 

Above all, we are driven by a simple goal: to produce pet food people can trust, from a company they enjoy doing business with.

K9 & Kin Offers:

• Competitive compensation package
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with eligibility from the date of hire
• 401(K) with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
• Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment

K9 & Kin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants based on their qualifications and experience, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Employment is subject to verification of credentials, reference checks, and a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted.