Vice President, Supply Chain

About the Company

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company, located in St. Paul, MN, is seeking a strategic leader to join their operations team as Vice President of Supply Chain.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Supply Chain will spearhead the execution of the organization's comprehensive supply chain strategy. This position oversees major corporate support functions such as routing, warehouse operations, safety protocols, and data analytics. The goal is to enhance operational efficiency, standardize procedures across branches, foster continuous improvement, and promote innovation throughout the distribution network.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement a supply chain strategy aligned with growth and long-term business objectives to optimize service, productivity, profitability, and scalability.
• Lead continuous improvement programs across warehouse, transportation, routing, office operations, analytics, and support functions to achieve operational excellence and scalability.
• Define and enforce company-wide standards, processes, and performance benchmarks to ensure consistency across all branches and markets.
• Collaborate closely with Regional Directors of Operations and Branch Leadership to boost operational results and customer service quality.
• Oversee the launch, integration, and operational readiness of new distribution centers and facility expansions.
• Develop multi-year plans for supply chain capabilities, technology investments, and ongoing improvement initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous progress.
• Align cross-functional departments including Operations, Sales, Finance, IT, and HR to meet enterprise-wide goals.

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing team leaders to deliver measurable business results with a focus on responsibility and high performance.
• Proven track record in building, nurturing, and retaining high-performing teams through effective talent management and succession planning.
• Strong influencing skills capable of driving alignment and execution within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Expertise in change management, capable of leading transformational growth and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communicator and relationship-builder able to engage effectively with executives, regional operations, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to cultivate a culture of collaboration, innovation, operational excellence, and ongoing learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Finance, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Over 18 years of progressive leadership experience in supply chain, logistics, transportation, warehousing, or distribution operations.
• Success in managing multi-site distribution and delivery networks.
• Hands-on experience overseeing transportation, routing, warehouse operations, safety, and operational excellence programs.
• Strong financial skills managing operating budgets, capital investments, productivity, and performance metrics.
• Experience leading distribution center startups, facility expansions, network optimization, or major operational implementations.
• Familiarity with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), inventory control systems, and operational technologies; experience with enterprise WMS platforms.
• Knowledge of software vendor Infios (formerly Korber).
• Competence in driving operational transformations through process improvements, analytics, and technology adoption.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% within Johnson Brothers' markets.
• Industry experience in beverages, consumer packaged goods, wholesale distribution, foodservice, or direct-store-delivery (DSD).
• Experience leading teams in business intelligence, analytics, or operational reporting.
• Certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $200,000 to $250,000 annually. Placement within this range depends on qualifications, education, experience, and other factors including internal equity and union status where applicable. The company offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive health benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan with employer matching, short-term and long-term disability coverage, generous paid time off, and paid parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Johnson Brothers is committed to fair hiring practices and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or other protected characteristics according to applicable laws.