Regional Operations Director

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company, a multi-state distributor, seeks a Regional Operations Director to lead distribution centers across Minnesota, Iowa, Spencer IA, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Nebraska. The role carries full P&L responsibility, drives safety, cost control, and service excellence.

The position requires guiding Branch Directors of Operations, implementing productivity initiatives, and leveraging analytics to sustain profitable growth and high customer service.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive regional operations leadership experience with direct responsibility for multiple distribution sites.
• Demonstrated success leading a geographically dispersed operation through site or branch operations leaders.
• Full P&L ownership and experience delivering annual operating plans, budgets, cost reductions, productivity gains, and capital priorities.
• Experience operating with company-owned assets, including distribution centers, trucks, trailers, warehouse equipment, material-handling equipment, and facility infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of DSD operations, warehousing, inventory control, delivery, transportation, fleet management, routing, and facility operations.
• Experience within alcoholic beverage, consumer packaged goods, wholesale distribution, or a comparable multi-site distribution environment strongly preferred.
• Strong financial and analytical capability, including the ability to translate operating metrics into corrective actions and financial results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, standardize processes, reduce cost, improve efficiency, and sustain results across multiple markets.
• Strong executive communication, cross-functional collaboration, talent development, and accountability skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Branch Directors of Operations across the region, providing clear direction, operating discipline, coaching, and accountability.
• Own the branch operating P&L and deliver the annual operating plans, cost-reduction, productivity gains, and capital priorities.
• Develop labor strategies and staffing models to ensure operations are appropriately staffed while maintaining productivity and cost objectives.
• Partner with corporate Operations, Sales, Finance, and HR to optimize service, capacity, cost, and talent.
• Use data and analytics to identify performance gaps, establish corrective actions, and hold branch leadership accountable for sustained results.
• Champion the use of analytics, routing technology, labor management systems, and warehouse management systems to improve operational performance and decision-making.
• Monitor performance measures including OTIF, revenue per mile, revenue per stop, cost per case, safety scores, and other key metrics.
• Oversee company-owned operating assets, including distribution centers, facility infrastructure, trucks, and equipment; ensure maintenance and asset replacement plans.
• Build a leadership bench through talent assessment, succession planning, coaching, and development of Branch Directors of Operations and teams.
• Lead cross-market standardization, best-practice sharing, network optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

P&L ownership

Multi-site leadership

Cost reduction

Data-driven decision-making

Cross-functional collaboration

People development

Executive communication

Strategic leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Finance, or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Regional Operations Director provides strategic and operational leadership across distribution centers in Minnesota, Iowa, Spencer Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Nebraska. This role leads the Branch Operations and is accountable for warehouse, delivery, office, and facilities. The position carries full financial P&L responsibility, including delivery of the annual operating plan, disciplined cost management, asset stewardship, and execution of productivity and efficiency initiatives that support profitable growth and reliable customer service.

Lead the Branch Directors of Operations across the region, providing clear direction, operating discipline, coaching, and accountability. Serve as the executive sponsor for safety across the region, ensuring compliance, reducing accidents, improving driver and warehouse safety performance, and promoting a culture of accountability. Own the branch operating P&L’S and deliver the annual operating plans. Develop and execute cost-reduction, productivity, route-efficiency, capacity planning-utilization, and process-improvement initiatives while protecting service, safety, and quality. Develop labor strategies and staffing models to ensure operations are appropriately staffed while maintaining productivity and cost objectives Partner with corporate Operations team members, along with Sales, Finance, and HR, to optimize service, capacity, cost, and talent Use data and analytics to identify performance gaps, establish corrective actions, and hold branch leadership accountable for sustained results.

Champion the use of analytics, routing technology, labor management systems, and warehouse management systems to improve operational performance and decision‑making. Monitor performance measures including: OTIF Cases per mile Cases per stop Revenue per mile Revenue per stop Planned versus actual performance Cost per case Preventive maintenance compliance Safety scores Perfect invoice Inventory and order accuracy Mis‑picks Fill rates Other key operating measures.

Oversee company‑owned operating assets, including distribution centers, facility infrastructure, trucks, trailers, warehouse equipment, material‑handling equipment, and related capital investments. Ensure preventive maintenance programs, asset replacement plans, and capital projects support safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local alcoholic beverage, transportation, workplace safety, and operating requirements. Build a strong leadership bench through talent assessment, succession planning, coaching, and development of Branch Directors of Operations and their teams. Lead cross‑market standardization, best‑practice sharing, network optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. Maintain a culture of accountability, employee engagement, operational excellence, and responsible asset ownership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive regional operations leadership experience with direct responsibility for multiple distribution sites for a DSD company.
• Demonstrated success leading a geographically dispersed operation through site or branch operations leaders.
• Proven full P&L ownership and experience delivering annual operating plans, budgets, cost reductions, productivity gains, and capital priorities.
• Experience operating with company‑owned assets, including distribution centers, trucks, trailers, warehouse equipment, material‑handling equipment, and facility infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of DSD operations, warehousing, inventory control, delivery, transportation, fleet management, routing, and facility operations.
• Experience within alcoholic beverage, consumer packaged goods, foodservice, wholesale distribution, or a comparable multi‑site distribution environment strongly preferred.
• Strong financial and analytical capability, including the ability to translate operating metrics into corrective actions and financial results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, standardize processes, reduce cost, improve efficiency, and sustain results across multiple markets.
• Strong executive communication, cross‑functional collaboration, talent development, and accountability skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Finance, or a related field preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Enterprise and regional leadership
• Financial ownership and operating‑plan execution
• Multi‑site operational excellence
• Cost reduction and continuous improvement
• Asset and capital ownership
• People development and succession planning
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Data‑driven decision‑making
• Customer and service focus
• Change leadership and accountability

Travel and Work Requirements

Regional travel of 75% or more is required to maintain an active leadership presence across Minnesota, Iowa, Spencer Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Nebraska. Ability to regularly work within distribution center, warehouse, delivery, fleet, office, and facility environments. Ability to respond to operational priorities across a multi‑state network as business needs require.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Johnson Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair treatment and hiring based on qualifications. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Work Type

Worker Sub‑Type: Regular Time, Type: Full time

Company Overview

Johnson Brothers is a third‑generation, family‑owned wine, beer, and spirits distributor founded in 1953 by Lynn Johnson in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Guided by its founding values of work ethic, teamwork, excellence, innovation, passion, and integrity, the company partners with top‑tier suppliers to deliver a world‑class portfolio and exceptional service to customers across 25 states. The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years (2023–2025).

Learn more at johnsonbrothers.com | LinkedIn | Instagram.