Director, Operations – MODESTO, CA

Location: Modesto, California (with responsibility for Helena, Arkansas)

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved 2 billion CHF in 2025 sales. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,100 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

As the Director, Operations, you will play a pivotal leadership role within Arxada's Microbial Control Solutions business, leading manufacturing operations across our Modesto, California and Helena, Arkansas facilities. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence while ensuring the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, quality, customer service, and financial performance. You will influence business strategy, lead transformational initiatives, and foster a high-performing culture built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is an exciting opportunity for a proven manufacturing leader to make a significant impact on business performance, organizational capability, and sustainable growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide strategic leadership for two manufacturing sites, aligning operational priorities with business objectives.
• Lead overall site performance across safety, environmental compliance, quality, production, delivery, and financial metrics.
• Own site financial performance, including P&L accountability, fixed cost management, and capital investment priorities.
• Sponsor capital projects and operational transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, reliability, and growth.
• Build organizational capability through leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, and talent growth.
• Partner effectively across business functions to drive collaboration, remove barriers, and deliver business results.
• Manage relationships with corporate leadership, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders while ensuring risk governance across EHS, compliance, and operational reliability.  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline; Chemical Engineering preferred.
• Significant leadership experience within chemical manufacturing environments, including responsibility for large-scale operations.
• Demonstrated success leading manufacturing facilities with accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and financial performance.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, build engagement, and foster a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.  
• Strong business acumen with experience balancing customer requirements, operational priorities, and commercial objectives.  
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Project management experience and familiarity with enterprise business systems such as SAP are advantageous.  

The expected salary range for this role is 200k-210k annually but specific employee compensation may vary depending on factors including experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location and other job-related, non-discriminatory factors permitted by law.

This role is also eligible to earn a short-term incentive bonus and the following benefits: 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and paid sick leave.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.