Copack & Supply Chain Operations Manager

Perfetti Van Melle; Erlanger, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

401k with match

Annual bonus potential

Parental leave

Membership reimbursement (Sam's Club/​

Tuition assistance

Candy allotments

Job summary

Perfetti Van Melle is seeking a Copack & Supply Chain Operations Manager to lead US and Mexico copacking networks, ensure capacity alignment with demand, and drive optimization initiatives. You will manage external partners, implement governance, and collaborate with planning, procurement, and quality teams.

Candidates should have 10+ years in manufacturing or supply chain leadership, with a strong background in food/CPG and multi-site operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred for advanced leadership.
• Experience managing external manufacturing, co-packing or co-manufacturing networks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead external partners and co-pack networks across US and Mexico.
• Set performance standards, governance, and accountability.
• Develop relationships with copackers and external supply chain partners.
• Ensure production capacity aligns with demand.
• Drive network optimization for service, cost, quality, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with Planning for customer service and inventory management.
• Monitor schedules, capacity, and fulfilment performance.
• Lead issue resolution for supply disruptions and risks.
• Support launches, commercialization, and continuity planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve end-to-end supply chain.

Skills

10+ years exp

Co-pack networks

Multi-site leadership

US & MX ops

CPG background

Continuous improvement

Financial acumen

Stakeholder mgmt

Supplier relationships

Ambiguity leadership

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/SC/Operations

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Copack & Supply Chain Operations Manager

Date: Oct 5, 2026

Location: Erlanger, KY, US, 41018

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead all aspects of external partners and operations across assigned U.S. and Mexico networks.
• Establish operational performance standards, governance processes, and accountability mechanisms.
• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with copackers and external Supply Chain partners.
• Ensure production capacity and capability align with business demand requirements.
• Drive network optimization initiatives to improve service, cost, quality, and efficiency.
• Partner with Supply Chain Planning to ensure strong Customer service reliable product availability and inventory management.
• Monitor production schedules, capacity utilization, and fulfilment performance across the network.
• Lead issue resolution for supply disruptions, shortages, and operational risks.
• Support new product launches, commercialization projects, and business continuity planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve end-to‑end supply chain performance.
• Ensure all external partners meet company quality, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Partner with Quality teams to address corrective actions, audit findings, and compliance gaps.
• Maintain adherence to applicable regulatory standards in both the U.S. and Mexico.
• Champion a culture of standards, quality and continuous improvement throughout the network.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between internal stakeholders and external SC partners.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement, Supply Planning, Logistics, Quality, Finance, Engineering, and Commercial teams.
• Provide regular business updates and performance reviews to senior leadership.
• Support strategic sourcing and contract negotiations as needed.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing, supply chain, or operations leadership experience.
• Experience managing external manufacturing, co-packing or co-manufacturing networks preferred.
• Multi-site leadership experience required.
• Experience operating across the United States and Mexico preferred.
• Strong background in food, consumer packaged goods, consumer products, or related manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong supply chain and manufacturing operations expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex supplier and partner relationships.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive results across a distributed network.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Perfetti Van Melle, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, where all individuals, regardless of background or identity, are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives to the sweet success of our candy-loving community. Additionally, we have a core value of Care For Our People and we are proud to offer benefit programs that support our team members' goals and well-being including:

• PTO package including vacation, wellness, and pay it forward time off
• 13 paid holidays
• 401k with Company Match up to 8%, ranking in the top 1% of the country
• Annual Bonus potential and merit-based increases
• 20 weeks Maternity & 12 weeks Paternity leave options
• Sam's Club or Costco annual membership reimbursement
• Tuition-Free College Program or Free Continued Education (BA, Masters, Etc.)
• Modest monthly candy allotments (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos)

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 AND 2025 NKY Magazine Best Workplace in Northern Kentucky

Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity/non-discrimination employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.