Senior Director, Warehouse Operations

Dessert Holdings; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Dessert Holdings is seeking a Senior Director of Warehouse Operations to lead strategic warehouse operations across the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on standardizing processes, improving efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The role oversees KPIs, WMS, and cross-functional partnerships with Procurement, Quality, and Plant teams. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in warehouse/distribution management, multi-site leadership, and a proven record of optimizing operations across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Strong understanding of WMS, inventory control, and logistics best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills
• Demonstrate collaborative leader, able to build strong cross-functional partnerships
• Ability to align stakeholders to achieve operational goals
• Experience managing cross-border operations in the U.S. and Canada is highly desirable.
• Ability to travel up to 50% throughout the U.S. and Canada

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for a network of 10 warehouse facilities across the United States and Canada, ensuring operational excellence, standardized processes, and consistent execution across all locations.
• Oversee all aspects of warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, inventory management, fulfillment, shipping, and inventory control to achieve service, quality, and productivity objectives.
• Develop and manage KPIs and reporting tools to measure performance, drive accountability, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Lead inventory optimization initiatives, including inventory accuracy, working capital improvement, shelf-life management, expiration reduction, and inventory planning strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement by evaluating and redesigning warehouse workflows, processes, and operating models.
• Lead the implementation and governance of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), automation technologies, and other tools to improve productivity and network performance.
• Manage operating budgets, capital expenditures, and cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining accountability for financial performance.
• Champion the adoption of technology and best practices to improve operational effectiveness and growth.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor warehouse leaders and site teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on safety and results.

Skills

WMS knowledge

Inventory control

Logistics best practices

Leadership

Communication

Cross-border operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business

Job description

SENIOR DIRECTOR, WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS

Desert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

SENIOR DIRECTOR, WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS

Desert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

The Senior Director, Warehouse Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and optimization of warehouse operations across Company facilities throughout the United States and Canada. This role drives operational excellence by standardizing processes, improving efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing best practices in inventory management, logistics, safety, and customer service.

Partnering closely with Procurement, Logistics, Quality, and Plant Warehouse teams, this leader oversees the performance, scalability, and continuous improvement of internal warehousing systems and processes. The Senior Director plays a highly visible role within the organization, leading enterprise-wide initiatives focused on reducing costs, minimizing waste, optimizing inventory, improving material flow, and developing a seamless warehouse network strategy.

Ideally located in St. Paul, MN, we are also open to candidates in the Aurora, CO or Humble, TX areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for a network of 10 warehouse facilities across the United States and Canada, ensuring operational excellence, standardized processes, and consistent execution across all locations.
• Oversee all aspects of warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, inventory management, fulfillment, shipping, and inventory control to achieve service, quality, and productivity objectives.
• Develop and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting tools to measure performance, drive accountability, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Partner closely with SIOP, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Transportation teams to align inventory, capacity, and service strategies across the supply chain.
• Lead inventory optimization initiatives, including inventory accuracy, working capital improvement, shelf-life management, expiration reduction, and inventory planning strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts by evaluating and redesigning warehouse workflows, processes, and operating models to enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer service.
• Lead the implementation, optimization, and governance of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), automation technologies, and other operational tools to improve productivity and network performance.
• Manage operating budgets, capital expenditures, and cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining accountability for financial performance and operational results.
• Champion the adoption of technology, automation, and best practices to improve operational effectiveness and support long-term growth.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor warehouse leaders and site teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on safety, engagement, and results.
• Lead and support initiatives that improve safety, quality, service, cost performance, and overall supply chain effectiveness.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive warehouse or distribution management experience, with at least 5 years in a multi-site leadership role
• Proven track record of optimizing operations across multiple locations
• Strong understanding of WMS, inventory control, and logistics best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills
• Demonstrate collaborative leader, able to build strong cross-functional partnerships
• Ability to align stakeholders to achieve operational goals
• Experience managing cross-border operations in the U.S. and Canada is highly desirable.
• Ability to travel up to 50% throughout the U.S. and Canada

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Regularly works in office and food manufacturing environments.
• Ability to walk production facilities and stand for extended periods during audits, inspections, and operational reviews.
• Ability to climb stairs and access elevated platforms as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to wear required PPE and work safely in manufacturing environments that include wet conditions, temperature variations, noise, and exposure to sanitation chemicals.

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.