Director Operations Logistics

Director of Operations & Logistics - U.S.

Company: Cloetta Location: United States, East Coast (Remote, with domestic travel) Work Model: Remote Contract: Permanent Seniority: Executive

Cloetta is a leading confectionery company in Northern Europe, known for its iconic brands and commitment to quality. As we expand our presence in the United States, we are building a dedicated U.S. management team to establish a scalable, competitive, and compliant platform for long-term growth. This is an opportunity to be a founding member, shaping Cloetta's U.S. business from the ground up.

About the Role

The Director of Operations & Logistics - U.S. is a senior, foundational leadership role responsible for designing, building, and scaling the operational backbone of Cloetta's U.S. business. You will be instrumental in creating a viable, scalable U.S. operations and route-to-market setup that supports our commercial ambitions. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong execution bias, comfortable operating with ambiguity and making decisions to drive growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Build the U.S. Operating & Route-to-Market Model:
  • Design and establish the end-to-end U.S. operational setup, encompassing import, logistics, warehousing, and distribution.
  • Own and drive the operational route to market, ensuring reliability, service levels, and cost discipline.
  • Select, structure, and manage key partners, such as Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers, brokers, and carriers, with scalability in mind.
• Create a Scalable, Controlled Platform:
  • Implement operating models, governance, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that enable growth without loss of control.
  • Anticipate future needs, including volume growth, local co-packing, and new channels, and design the operational infrastructure accordingly.
  • Transition the U.S. business from an initial setup phase to repeatable, disciplined execution.
• Embed Compliance as a Foundation:
  • Ensure full compliance with U.S. regulatory and food safety requirements, including FDA, FSMA, FSVP, and customs.
  • Serve as the senior operational interface for audits, inspections, and escalations.
• Lead With and Through Central Functions:
  • Partner closely with global Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Procurement teams.
  • Ensure alignment between global standards and U.S. execution.
  • Represent U.S. operational needs in central decision-making forums.
• U.S. Leadership Contribution:
  • Act as a core, shaping member of the U.S. management team, contributing to how Cloetta operates in the U.S.
  • Bring structure, pace, and operational credibility to a growing organization.
  • Support the broader U.S. growth agenda beyond operations.

Requirements

• 8-12+ years of experience in operations, logistics, or supply chain within the food, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), or other regulated consumer goods industries.
• Proven track record of building or scaling operating models, ideally in new markets or high-growth environments.
• Strong, pragmatic understanding of U.S. import, logistics, and regulatory frameworks (FDA, FSMA, FSVP, customs).
• Experience working with external partners and within global matrix organizations.
• Strategic thinking with a strong execution bias.
• Commercially aware, understanding how operations enable growth and customer success.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity and making decisions early.
• Credible, calm, and confident at a leadership-team level.

What We Offer

• Compensation:
  • Salary range: $140,000 - $160,000 per year.
  • Bonus eligibility.
• Benefits:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401k with company match.
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) package.
  • Performance bonus.
  • Flexible working hours, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
• Work Environment:
  • An international yet personal organization where individual contributions are valued and heard.
  • Access to a global network of colleagues for expertise sharing, learning, and growth.
  • A driven environment focused on continuous growth and innovation.
  • Freedom to carry out responsibilities, implement your own ideas, and make a real impact on the business.