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Head of Operations USA
Job Location:
Job Location:
Itasca, IL - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 110000 - 140000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (7 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Role description
We are seeking a proactive technically skilled Head of Operations to lead our first USA plant through two phases:
- Renovation & commissioning: act as the primary on-site liaison between HQ engineering the central Project Manager contractors vendors and local stakeholders; keep milestones safe compliant and on schedule.
- Operations & ramp-up: take over day-to-day plant leadership after commissioning building routines leading the team managing performance and driving safety quality compliance and continuous improvement.
Your Mission
Your responsibilities will evolve over time and are grouped into two main phases: factory renovation and commissioning first followed by plant operations ramp-up and continuous improvement.
1. Construction / Renovation Phase
2. Post-Construction Operations & Ramp-Up
1. Construction / Renovation Phase
- Project Coordination
- Oversee day-to-day activities on-site and monitor contractor performance in collaboration with the local PM contractor
- Track progress against the project schedule and escalate delays or issues
- Support procurement and logistics for equipment and materials
- Coordinate inspections and safety
- Technical Support
- Review construction drawings and equipment layouts for accuracy coordinating with the global engineering team
- Assist in commissioning and operational readiness activities in cooperation with OEMs and the global engineering team
- Communication & Reporting
- Provide structured weekly updates to HQ and the central Project Manager
- Act as the first point of contact for local stakeholders and vendors
2. Post-Construction Operations & Ramp-Up
- Operational Handover & Ramp-Up
- Take ownership of plant operations after commissioning ensuring a structured ramp-up into stable day-to-day operations.
- Define and implement operating routines responsibilities reporting lines and escalation paths for the new site in line with global principles and local requirements.
- Team Leadership & Site Management
- Build lead and develop the local operational team including onboarding training performance management leadership development and cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage priorities across production procurement quality safety and continuous improvement while ensuring clear communication with stakeholders.
- Operational Excellence Safety & Compliance
- Establish and continuously improve processes KPIs documentation and standard operating procedures for reliable plant performance.
- Drive efficiency safety quality and cost discipline across the site while maintaining compliance with applicable local regulations US workplace safety requirements and company standards.
- Identify operational risks resolve day-to-day issues and initiate improvement projects as the plant moves from start-up mode into regular operations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Engineering Operations Management or a related technical field with 8 years relevant experience in plant operations commissioning construction coordination or industrial project management.
- Manufacturing laboratory food flavour chemistry or related industry background with a solid understanding of production/lab operations operational readiness safety quality and efficiency principles.
- Proven ability to lead teams contractors and cross-functional stakeholders communicate clearly across shop-floor and senior audiences and work effectively between US site teams and international HQ.
- Hands-on knowledge of permitting inspections compliance US workplace safety requirements and the ability to manage priorities escalate risks and keep work on track independently.
- Experience implementing scalable processes KPIs documentation continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making.
- Proficiency with digital collaboration/project management tools such as Jira Confluence MS Project or similar plus excellent English skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters degree in Engineering Operations Management Business Administration or a related field.
- Experience with renovation greenfield or brownfield industrial projects from construction through commissioning handover and ramp-up.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills including working with senior leaders contractors vendors and cross-functional teams without direct authority.
- Strategic analytical mindset with experience using operational data to improve productivity safety quality processes and performance.
- Experience with leadership development organisational growth change management and international collaboration between local teams and HQ.
- Familiarity with US regulatory permitting environmental health and safety labour compliance and project/collaboration tools such as Jira Confluence or MS Project.
- Conversational Spanish language skills.
Why youll love working here
- Competitive salary: $110000 $140000 based on experience and qualifications
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Health dental and vision insurance
- 401(k) fully matched vested day one
- 20 PTO and holidays
- Fast-track career growth Employee #1 in North America
Our Process
- Initial Screening Call with a Recruiter
- Interview #1 with the Hiring Manager
- Interview #2 with the Global Head of Production & Engineering
- Challenge (Take-home task)
About us
At Arethia we fuse our long-standing reputation with a continual push for progress. A rapidly expanding player in the flavour industry Arethia specialises in delivering innovative taste solutions and co-creating products that consumers love. For more than 70 years Arethia has been known for its close collaboration with customers and the highest quality standards. With over 350 employees spread across Germany Switzerland Dubai and Indonesia we aim to shape the future of flavours with a culture that values agility transparency and talent.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Dedication is the key: Our focus on good tobacco taste is our passion and motivation. Our flavours define the sense of taste and make your tobacco products unique. Flavors, casings & applications: Cigarettes, Shisha, Kretek, E-products, Cigarillos, Cigars, Chewing tobacco, Pipe, RY ... View more
