Innovation & Commercialization Manager

Innovation & Commercialization Manager (Lead)

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 sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers' success.

As an Innovation & Commercialization Manager (Lead), you will play a pivotal role in shaping and launching the next generation of chemical innovations for the institutional cleaning and disinfection market, with a primary focus on healthcare environments. Operating at the intersection of technology, customers, and commercial execution, you will lead complex innovation programs from concept through launch—ensuring solutions are grounded in real‑world workflows, regulatory realities, and customer needs.

This is a highly visible, cross‑functional role for someone who thrives on ownership, brings strong commercial discipline, and enjoys turning ambiguity into momentum. You will act as the connective tissue between R&D, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, marketing, and sales, helping Arxada go beyond ideas to deliver differentiated, market‑ready solutions in a B2B setting. This role sits within a high-growth, strategic business and offers a clear path to advancement. Within ~24 months, you'll be expected to lead and launch products independently, owning programs end-to-end.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead 2–4 concurrent innovation programs from early concept through commercial launch, typically over 12–18‑month development cycles, with a focus on North America and Europe.
• Own and drive a stage‑gate / playbook‑driven innovation process, ensuring disciplined execution, clear decision‑making, and leadership visibility.
• Maintain detailed project plans, timelines, risk/issue tracking, decision logs, and launch-readiness documentation.
• Partner cross‑functionally with R&D, regulatory, operations, quality, supply chain, marketing, sales, and finance to progress projects through validation, scale‑up, and launch.
• Lead a structured Voice of Customer (VOC) program, including customer interviews, site observations, and workflow mapping, to embed end‑user insight into product development.
• Drive commercialization readiness, contributing to product documentation, positioning inputs, sales tools, training materials, and launch plans; support sales as a technical and commercial partner when needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree or equivalent senior experience in chemicals or adjacent regulated industries, with a proven track record in product commercialization, and cross‑functional program leadership.
• Excellent project management skills with proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, maintain rigorous tracking/documentation, and provide consistent, proactive updates.
• Desire and demonstrated ability to roll up your sleeves and figure out how to get things done with first principles thinking when precedent does not exist.
• Exposure to one or more of the following markets: healthcare, institutional cleaning, animal biosecurity, water, or food preparation; background in chemicals or chemical technologies strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence developing clear slide decks, value narratives, and basic business cases; comfortable using AI tools to enhance productivity.

The expected salary range for this role is 125,000 $- 150,000K $, 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.