Director Operations Logistics

<p><strong>Operations &amp; Logistics Director - U.S.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>LOCATION: </strong>United States, East Coast (Remote, with domestic travel)</p><p><strong>REPORTS TO: </strong>U.S. Country Manager (Strong functional link to Global Operations &amp; Supply Chain)</p><p><strong>PART OF: U.S. Management Team (to be established)</strong> <em>A core, founding member shaping Cloetta’s U.S. business from the ground up</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>TREAT YOURSELF, WORK WITH US</strong></p><p>As Cloetta accelerates its expansion in the United States, we are building a dedicated U.S. management team to create a scalable, competitive, and compliant platform for long‑term growth.</p><p>Cloetta is Northern Europe’s leading confectionery company, with a portfolio of iconic brands and a long heritage of craftsmanship, quality, and joy. Having successfully entered the U.S. market, the next phase is to evolve from early setup into a robust, repeatable operating model that can support growth across customers, channels, and categories.</p><p>The Operations &amp; Logistics Director – US is a senior, foundational leadership role in this journey. This is not about optimizing an existing structure — it is about designing, building, and scaling the operational backbone of Cloetta’s U.S. business. As a key member of the U.S. management team, you will help define how Cloetta operates, competes, and grows in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>YOUR MISSION &amp; THE IMPACT YOU’LL MAKE</strong></p><p>As Operations &amp; Logistics Director – US, your mission is to build and lead a viable, scalable U.S. operations and route‑to‑market setup that enables Cloetta’s commercial ambitions today and in the future.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>You will:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Act as the architect and owner</strong> of the U.S. operational model, from import and logistics through warehousing and customer delivery.</li><li><strong>Design a scalable setup</strong> capable of supporting growth in volume, customers, and channels.</li><li><strong>Ensure full U.S. regulatory compliance</strong> (FDA, FSMA, FSVP, customs) as a baseline requirement and license to operate.</li><li><strong>Serve as a core member of the U.S. management team</strong>, shaping how Cloetta operates in the U.S. alongside commercial and central leaders.</li><li><strong>Partner closely with central operations, supply chain, quality, and procurement</strong> to translate global standards into a fit‑for‑purpose U.S. reality.</li></ul><p>This is a role for a builder — combining strategic design, senior judgment, and hands‑on leadership when required.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p><p><strong>Build the U.S. Operating &amp; Route‑to‑Market Model</strong></p><ul><li>Design and establish the end‑to‑end U.S. operational setup across import, logistics, warehousing, and distribution.</li><li>Own and drive the operational route to market, ensuring reliability, service levels, and cost discipline.</li><li>Select, structure, and manage key partners (3PLs, brokers, carriers) with scalability in mind.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Create a Scalable, Controlled Platform</strong></p><ul><li>Implement operating models, governance, and SOPs that enable growth without loss of control.</li><li>Anticipate future needs (volume growth, local co‑packing, new channels) and design accordingly.</li><li>Transition the U.S. business from “setup mode” to repeatable, disciplined execution.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Embed Compliance as a Foundation</strong></p><ul><li>Ensure full compliance with U.S. regulatory and food safety requirements.</li><li>Serve as the senior operational interface for audits, inspections, and escalations.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Lead With and Through Central Functions</strong></p><ul><li>Partner closely with global Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Procurement teams.</li><li>Ensure alignment between global standards and U.S. execution.</li><li>Represent U.S. operational needs in central decision‑making forums.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>U.S. Leadership Contribution</strong></p><ul><li>Be an active, shaping member of the U.S. management team.</li><li>Bring structure, pace, and operational credibility to a growing organization.</li><li>Support the broader U.S. growth agenda beyond operations alone.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>WHO YOU ARE</strong></p><p><strong>You are a senior operations leader motivated by building business processes rather than inheriting them</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Experience &amp; Background</strong></p><ul><li>8–12+ years of experience in operations, logistics, or supply chain within food, CPG, or other regulated consumer goods.</li><li>Proven track record of building or scaling operating models, ideally in new markets or high‑growth environments.</li><li>Strong, pragmatic understanding of U