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Vice President, Human Resources

Dessert 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 Vice President, Human Resources (VP HR) will be based in our St. Paul, MN corporate headquarters and lead the HR strategy for a 10-site North American manufacturing network with over 3,400 employees.  Reporting to the CHRO, this leader partners with senior operations executives and leadership to strengthen organizational performance, workforce planning, employee engagement, labor relations, compliance, and talent development.

The VP HR provides hands-on leadership for the field HR organization, including one Regional Senior HR Director and individual site HR leaders.  Ensuring business alignment with consistent, compliant, and scalable HR practices, the VP HR must build strong site partnerships to advance operational excellence, workforce stability, leadership capability, safety culture, and organization growth.

The expected annual salary for this position is $220,000 - $250,000 and is based on several factors including education, work experience, skills, certifications, and location. We also offer a comprehensive benefit program including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and retirement contributions to all eligible employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and execute a people strategy for manufacturing that supports business growth, operational performance, productivity, accountability, retention, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Advise senior leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, succession, performance management, and change leadership.
• Balance high-level strategic thinking with practical management to ensure swift execution against key projects.
• Lead, coach, and develop site HR teams to improve capability, consistency, and business impact.
• Standardize and improve HR policies, processes, and employee practices while addressing site-specific needs.
• Develop and use HR metrics to identify workforce trends, guide decisions, and report progress against key outcomes using data-based evidence.
• Partner with Operations to address labor market pressures, workforce shortages, and succession risks.
• Oversee hourly recruiting, onboarding, and retention strategies across all facilities.
• Strengthen employee relations; lead or advise on escalated investigations and complex workplace matters.
• Support labor relations, including union avoidance strategies and collective bargaining administration where applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including 7+ years leading HR within a manufacturing, distribution, or other industrial environment
• Prior experience in a leading CPG or non-durable goods manufacturer, with success applying best-practice HR capabilities in a PE-backed or high-growth environment
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-site, geographically dispersed HR organizations
• Experience partnering with senior executives and operational leadership teams to effectively connect HR initiatives to business needs
• Highly collaborative with non-hierarchical leadership skills across all levels and functions of an organization
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, labor strategy, organizational development, and talent management in both union and non-union environments
• M&A integration and change management experience in high-growth environments
• Prior experience with executive compensation, benefits design/administration, and executive recruiting is a plus
• Ability to travel to and navigate manufacturing facilities within North America up to 50% of the time

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. 

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters and are unable to provide employment authorization sponsorship for this position.

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