Production Team Lead 1st Shift

Perfetti Van Melle; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Holidays

401k match

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Well-being subsidy

Parental leave

Membership reimbursement

Tuition assistance

Candy stipend

Job summary

Perfetti Van Melle in Loves Park, IL is seeking a Production Team Lead to manage start-up/shut-down, sanitation, and operations of packaging and processing equipment, ensuring safety and quality targets.

You will lead a cross-functional team, coach others, analyze data, and drive improvements using DMAIC. A two-year manufacturing background and leadership skills are required.

Qualifications

• Two years experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably a food environment.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Responsibilities

• Start-up, shutdown, lockout, sanitation, and operations of packaging/processing equipment.
• Lead day-to-day plant activities, emphasizing safety and quality.
• Hold teams to standards; escalate when needed.

Skills

Leadership experience

Coaching/Training

Data analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

SAP

Paycor

Smartsheet

Power BI

Job description

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Date: Sep 1, 2026

Location: Loves Park, IL, US, 61111

OVERVIEW

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As a key member of our manufacturing team, the Production Team Lead performs all functions associated with the start-up, shutdown, lockout, sanitation, and operations of the packaging and/or process equipment to produce a high quality product that meets or exceeds targets for cost and quality. This role will be responsible for day to day plant activities working in a team environment that promotes safety, food safety, and clear communication. Additional Responsibilities include:

• Holds others accountable for following standards and delivering on commitments. Follow escalation process when applicable.
• Assesses or determines a training need for an area. Leads effort to plan and complete training.
• Assess work standards, make standards available, hold teams to meet standard
• Engage proactively with cross functional support team, leaders, and floor operators. Coaches/Trains others to do the same.
• Prepares written materials and delivers oral presentations using visual aids, delivering a concise message to a wide variety of audiences. Comfortable escalating to high level leaders.
• Analyze data. Trains others on DMAIC problem solving methods.
• Leads decision-making processes using data and principles to make a difficult organization or technical decision involving the right people at the right level.
• Recognize when company resources/information are needed. Locate company resources, evaluate, and use effectively. Coach others to do the same. Create or update resources/information when needed.
• Manage conflict between team members. Recognizes and resolves non-technical issues that are occurring within the Team. Involve HR when necessary.
• Required knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams. SharePoint, SAP, Paycor, Smartsheet, Power BI
• Demonstrate knowledge of HR practices. Delivers feedback in a professional and positive manner. Adapt your leadership style to work situations. Provides insight pertaining to employee evaluations

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• Two years experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably a food environment. Prior leadership experience preferred.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to work overtime hours, above your normal schedule, to meet customer’s demands.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem analysis skills.
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Uniform, Hairnet, Beard net, and Mask when required.
• Occasionally exposed to dusty conditions due to the handling of bulk products. The employee must be able to wear and use breathing protection devices as required while working in these conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to occasionally sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Ability to talk, hear, and smell.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally push/pull 350-pound carts with wheels.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.
• Employees must be flexible in learning and working in other job functions to ensure a competent, trained

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 ofCare For Our Peopleand we are proud to offer benefit programs that support our team members' goals and well-being including:

• PTO package including vacation, sick, 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)

The anticipated target range for this role is: $25 - $30 per hour.

Perfetti Van Melle considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary.

Join a 2024 NKY Best Workplace by applying today! Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action 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.