Director, North America Sales & Operations
Läderach | chocolatier suisse· United States (Field-Based, 60–70% Travel)
ABOUT LÄDERACH
Läderach was founded in 1962 by Rudolf Läderach Jr. in Glarus, Switzerland — a small Alpine canton that remains the heart of the company to this day. What began as a small confectionery with the vision of creating "a shop of sweet gifts" has grown, across three generations and more than six decades, into one of the world's most respected premium chocolate houses.
The brand's defining philosophy — bean to bar to you — reflects a commitment to controlling every step of the chocolate journey. All Läderach chocolate is manufactured in Switzerland, in the company's own factory in Bilten, Glarus. Cacao is sourced directly from farming partners, fermented and dried at origin, then crafted into finished chocolate entirely in-house. Nothing is outsourced. Nothing is compromised.
In 2018, Elias Läderach — now Chief Creative Officer and third-generation family member — became the first Swiss chocolatier to win the World Chocolate Masters in Paris, besting 19 international competitors. That same year, his brother Johannes Läderach assumed the role of CEO, completing the transition to the third generation of family leadership.
Läderach entered the North American market in 2019, opening its first boutiques in New York City and Toronto. Today, the brand operates more than 220 chocolateries across 25+ countries, with a growing and active retail footprint across the United States and Canada. North America is a priority market — and we are building the leadership team to match that ambition.
THE ROLE
This is a senior leadership position for an operator who wants to own something meaningful. The Director, North America Sales & Operations is accountable for the full execution of Läderach's retail organization across the United States and Canada — from store standards and customer experience to labor productivity, training execution, and the performance of the field leadership team. You will lead the Regional Sales Managers directly, and through them, the entire frontline retail operation.
This role reports to the President, North America, and is positioned on a clear trajectory toward COO-equivalent scope. If you are looking for a platform to grow into an executive leadership role within a brand that takes quality seriously, this is it.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Lead and develop the RSM team — set direction, build capability, hold the field leadership layer accountable for performance and standards across all markets.
Own operational excellence — establish and enforce store standards, operational rhythms, and execution discipline across every boutique in the network.
Drive training and customer experience — ensure that brand standards, product knowledge, and service behaviors are embedded in every market through rigorous training execution and consistent coaching.
Manage labor productivity — develop staffing models, oversee scheduling discipline, and optimize labor efficiency without compromising the guest experience.
Champion sales performance — L4L sales growth, conversion, and average transaction value are your metrics; you drive them through operational rigor and team capability.
Lead new store openings — own the operational playbook for market entry and new boutique launches, ensuring every opening reflects the Läderach standard from day one.
Connect field to HQ — serve as the primary channel for translating field reality into strategic decisions; your insights inform everything from staffing models to product placement.
WHAT YOU BRING
- Eight or more years of multi-unit retail leadership, with demonstrated accountability for operations, standards, and a distributed field team. Experience leading through an RSM or DM layer is required.
- A track record in premium or specialty retail — brands where the guest experience is the product. Familiarity with the rigor of Läderach's peers (luxury, specialty food and beverage, high-touch lifestyle) is a strong advantage.
- Operational credibility and field presence — you are known for raising the floor, not just managing the top. You coach, you observe, you hold standards.
- Sales acumen grounded in operational thinking — you understand the levers, you know the metrics, and you build teams that deliver them.
- Executive presence and the ambition to grow — this role is a stepping stone to the most senior operations leadership in North America. We are looking for someone who sees it that way.
COMPENSATION & LOCATION
Base Salary
$150,000 – $185,000
Annual Bonus
15–20% of base, tied to L4L sales growth, conversion, ATV, and labor productivity
Location
United States; field-based with 60–70% travel across the North America network
TO APPLY
If you are a senior retail operations leader ready to build something at a brand that stands apart, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief note on your background in premium multi-unit operations.
Own it. Grow it. Make it fresh.
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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings are filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law. Our success and momentum to expand is only possible through the passionate drive of our diverse 2,500 employees, who come from more than 80 countries and represent various backgrounds, religious beliefs, and lifestyles.
