Procurement & Quality Assurance
Founded in 1988, Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research, and consulting company hiring a Procurement & Quality Assurance Specialist to join their team in Versailles, KY.
Dedicated to advancing equine health and performance through science-based nutrition, KER specializes in equine nutrition research, innovative feed technologies, and nutritional supplements. The company partners with feed manufacturers worldwide to develop high-quality nutritional solutions while offering its own line of specialized supplements. With a strong commitment to research, innovation, and product quality, and continues to expand its presence in the global equine nutrition industry.
The Procurement & Quality Assurance Specialist will play a key role in managing ingredient sourcing, supplier relationships, inventory planning, and quality assurance for KER's growing equine nutrition business. Based in Versailles, Kentucky with additional functions in Australia, this individual will oversee procurement activities, coordinate with contract manufacturers, and ensure materials and finished products meet regulatory, food safety, and quality standards. Working closely with production, operations, and international teams, this position will help maintain a reliable, cost-effective supply chain while supporting compliance with cGMP, HACCP, SQF, and other applicable quality programs. The ideal candidate will bring experience in food or feed manufacturing, strong supplier management skills, and a proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
We offer a competitive base salary, health and dental insurance, 401k, and PTO.
Responsibilities
Dedicated to advancing equine health and performance through science-based nutrition, KER specializes in equine nutrition research, innovative feed technologies, and nutritional supplements. The company partners with feed manufacturers worldwide to develop high-quality nutritional solutions while offering its own line of specialized supplements. With a strong commitment to research, innovation, and product quality, and continues to expand its presence in the global equine nutrition industry.
The Procurement & Quality Assurance Specialist will play a key role in managing ingredient sourcing, supplier relationships, inventory planning, and quality assurance for KER's growing equine nutrition business. Based in Versailles, Kentucky with additional functions in Australia, this individual will oversee procurement activities, coordinate with contract manufacturers, and ensure materials and finished products meet regulatory, food safety, and quality standards. Working closely with production, operations, and international teams, this position will help maintain a reliable, cost-effective supply chain while supporting compliance with cGMP, HACCP, SQF, and other applicable quality programs. The ideal candidate will bring experience in food or feed manufacturing, strong supplier management skills, and a proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
We offer a competitive base salary, health and dental insurance, 401k, and PTO.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute purchasing strategies to optimize costs, supplier performance, product quality, and supply chain efficiency
- Source, evaluate, and manage ingredient, packaging, and contract manufacturing suppliers, negotiating favorable pricing and ensuring material traceability
- Forecast inventory needs, manage stock levels, and coordinate purchasing to maintain production schedules and prevent supply disruptions
- Monitor market trends, analyze purchasing data, and identify innovative ingredients, suppliers, and cost-saving opportunities through industry research and trade events
- Oversee food safety and quality assurance programs, ensuring compliance with cGMP, HACCP, SQF, UFAS, FSMA, and applicable regulatory standards
- Maintain quality control procedures, SOPs, regulatory documentation, and certifications while coordinating inspections, third-party audits, and annual QMS reviews
- Monitor product quality through testing, inspections, and supplier evaluations, ensuring raw materials and finished products meet established safety and quality standards
- Investigate quality issues, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead employee training on food safety and quality assurance practices, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations
- Collaborate with production, operations, management, and international teams to support sourcing, production planning, product quality, facility safety, and budget controls
- Experience and familiarity with ingredient purchasing, feed manufacturing or related field
- Strong understanding of commodities, feed ingredients, freight, and supply chain logistics
- 3-5 years of food or feed manufacturing QA management role
- Experience in feed or dry food safety side of QA/Regulatory Compliance
- Experience leading audits
- Experience maintaining the feed safety and quality plan
- Experience performing HACCP analysis
- Working knowledge and experience with Quality Assurance Management (RCAs, Corrective/Preventative Measures, HAACP, cGMP, SQF, FSMA/SFSF). SQF Practitioner certification is preferred.
- HACCP and PCQI certification
- Working knowledge or certification in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)