VP Operations - Specialty Foods

Keller Executive Search is seeking a senior operations executive on behalf of an established premium food retailer and foodservice operator. The business brings together specialty grocery, fresh departments, scratch culinary production, bakery and pastry operations, purchasing, catering, and off-site foodservice. Its customers expect consistently high standards of freshness, quality, convenience, and service.This is a broader mandate than conventional store management. The successful executive will progressively assume responsibility for company-wide day-to-day operations and financial performance, integrating people, production, purchasing, service, safety, and commercial outcomes. The opportunity suits a proven food operator ready to take genuine enterprise accountability. The mandate is to strengthen operating discipline, improve margins and profitability and develop the leadership structure. Success will require hands-on credibility, rigorous P&L leadership, and the judgment to improve performance without compromising food quality, safety, or the premium customer experience.Key ResponsibilitiesAssume day-to-day operational and financial leadershipIntegrate operations across scratch food production, bakery and pastry, fresh retail departments, catering, and off-site foodserviceOwn budgeting, P&L performance, forecasting, variance reviews, and departmental financial reportingImprove recipe costing, food cost, yields, waste, shrink, purchasing discipline, and operating profitabilityEstablish production plans, operating rhythms, performance measures, and clear accountability across departmentsLead approximately direct reports and a wider workforce of employees through managers and department headsAlign labor planning and scheduling with sales, service requirements, and production volumeOversee supplier strategy, ordering practices, inventory levels, vendor terms, and purchasing negotiations Maintain effective food safety, quality-control, escalation, and corrective-action processesProtect house-made quality and the premium customer experience while improving marginsAssess the management structure after learning the business and recommend appropriate roles, reporting lines, and decision rightsDevelop capital-expenditure priorities for production, kitchen, bakery, and retail operationsProvide ownership with clear performance reporting, timely escalation, and evidence-based recommendations Additional InformationPermanent executive appointmentFully onsite in Rochester Hills, MichiganApproximately 10% travel Requirements Senior cross-functional operations leadership in prepared foods, specialty grocery, foodservice, catering, commercial bakery, commissary, or a comparable food environmentDirect responsibility for food preparation or production, food costs, ordering, purchasing, yields, and waste controlManager-of-managers experience leading department heads or senior managers across a substantial workforceBroad decision-making authority and accountability for operational results beyond a single department or advisory functionMeaningful P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and departmental margin-management experienceTrack record of improving food cost, labor productivity, margins, or profitabilityExperience managing labor planning and productivity in a complex, labor-intensive operationWorking knowledge of food safety, quality controls, issue escalation, and corrective actionAbility to learn a complex operation, earn stakeholder confidence, and progressively assume operating authority PreferredLeadership experience in premium or specialty grocery with substantial prepared-food operationsDepth in scratch kitchens, commissaries, central production, or large culinary programsOversight of bakery, pastry, fresh departments, catering, or off-site foodserviceExperience with supplier negotiation, fresh-category merchandising, assortment, pricing, and inventory economicsCapital-expenditure planning and execution experienceSuccessful experience reporting directly to active owners or founders Benefits Base salary of $200,000-$250,000 USD annuallyPerformance bonusMedical benefits401(k) planPTO Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations. Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location. Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. 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These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles. Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.