IWS Manager

Perfetti Van Melle; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO package

13 holidays

401k match

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Well-being subsidy

Maternity leave

Paternity leave

Membership reimbursements

Education program

Candy allotment

Job summary

Perfetti Van Melle seeks an IWS Manager to lead the site's IWS journey and continuous improvement initiatives. You will integrate system-building with hands-on execution to drive safety, quality, productivity, cost, and morale.

As the leader, you will coordinate IWS implementation, master plans, and training, while ensuring data-driven actions align with long-term plant goals. Strong problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant field required; MBA preferred.
• 7–12 years in food, pharma, consumer goods or similar regulated manufacturing.
• Experience with high-speed packaging, complex processing or multi-line operations.
• Led lean six sigma, TPM, or IWS deployment at a plant or multiline level.
• Experience coordinating engineering, maintenance and operations on improvements.
• Master TPM pillars and program phases; understands RTT and DMS.
• Excellent communication across supply, commercial, and logistics teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate IWS implementation and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and track master plan milestones with the plant manager.
• Lead trainings and workshops; ensure standards and reapplication.
• Manage data systems from acquisition to decision making.
• Promote IWS and educate site teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Project management

Kaizen

SMED

5S

RCA techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Overview

Perfetti Van Melle (makers of Mentos, Airheads, Dentyne, Trident and Bubblicious!) is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum with global brands that are being enjoyed in more than 150 countries worldwide. We’re currently seeking a passionate and enthusiastic IWS Manager to join our growing team.

Overview

Perfetti Van Melle (makers of Mentos, Airheads, Dentyne, Trident and Bubblicious!) is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum with global brands that are being enjoyed in more than 150 countries worldwide. We’re currently seeking a passionate and enthusiastic IWS Manager to join our growing team.

What You Will Do

The IWS/CI Manager serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing the site's IWS phase journey and Continuous Improvement initiatives. This role integrates system‑building responsibilities with hands‑on execution to deliver breakthrough performance in safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and morale.

• Overall Coordinator of IWS implementation – Drives IWS circle of success
• Lead the master plan Development
• Masterplan remains on track
• Pillars are in place, healthy and properly integrated
• Coordinate workshop and trainings
• Drive the implementation – be a champion
• Coordinate annual Loss Analysis – establish the base line
• Develop and align goals and milestones with the plant manager
• Develop and align goals and milestones with the plant manager
• Looks ahead 6 to 18 months and anticipate capability development – needs
• Have a PDCA in place
• Makes issues & problems of the implementation visible for leaders
• Daily consultant to: Site Leader, Pillar owners, ODM's-Tio, Teams and individuals
• IWS Promotion, Communication & Education
• Ensure systems are in place to drive reapplication and one common standard
• Works closely with the IWS regional manager to get best possible coaching
• Develop the agenda for consultations visit and external audits
• Benchmark and reapply implementation on companywide sites
• Drives the data management systems, from the acquisition all the way to the decision making to ensure actions are driven by data
• Drives the 5's program for the site with the support of the value stream leaders
• Drives the statistical process control for the value streams with the support of the process engineer.
• Ensure progress on the RTTs and corresponding DMS;s scheduled as per site Master Plan

What We Need From You

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant field required. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• 7-12 years in food, pharma, consumer goods or similar regulated manufacturing
• Experience with high-speed packaging, complex processing or multi-line operations
• Led lean six sigma, TPM, or IWS deployment at a plant or multiline level
• Experience running Kaizen, SMED, 5S, Kanban and RCA methodologies
• Understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain processes
• Ability to communicate effectively across supply, commercial, and logistics teams
• Detail‑oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Led cross-functional CI projects tied to COGS, yield, waste, labour productivity or equipment utilization
• Experience coordinating engineering , maintenance and operations on improvements
• Master 2-3 TPM pillars and overall knowledgeable of all pillars and program phases
• Understand the integration of the TPM pillars by phases
• Master RTT and its DMS, especially DDS
• Master the phases of the program
• Master what loses Pillars capabilities can eliminate
• Relationship building, collaboration, influencing, and program management skills
• Coaching and development skills

What We Offer

At Perfetti Van Melle, we are committed to fostering a welcoming 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, personal, 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
• Comprehensive Health Insurance
• Annual well-being subsidy
• 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 allotment (Airheads, Airheads Xtremes, and Mentos)

Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable statutorily protected group status under local, state, or federal law.

Nearest Major Market:

Cincinnati