Value Stream Leader - Bites Processing

Perfetti Van Melle; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO package

Paid holidays

401k match

Annual bonus

Parental leave

Membership reimbursement

Tuition program

Candy allotments

Job summary

Perfetti Van Melle USA in Erlanger, KY is seeking a Value Stream Leader to optimize the entire production line for a defined product family. You will drive Lean initiatives, coach teams, and ensure the line meets safety, quality, and cost objectives while aligning with the production schedule.

The role requires strong leadership, GMP/HACCP knowledge, and experience in value stream mapping, TPM, and IWS tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Associate Degree in business management or equivalent experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certifications a plus.
• 5+ years Value Stream or supervisor experience in manufacturing.
• GMP, HACCP and OSHA knowledge.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; coaching and performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Increase value stream efficiency and eliminate waste across the supply chain.
• Coach and develop employees; assess performance and coaching.
• Analyze production performance and implement process improvements to reduce downtime and costs.
• Lead IWS Phase journey and develop 90 Day Plans.
• Own DMS modules for line maintenance and defect handling.
• Coordinate with planning, materials, and QA.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Change management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's or Associate Degree in business management

5+ years VSM/Supervisor experience

Lean Six Sigma certification

Tools

MS Office

IWS

TPM

Job description

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Date: Sep 9, 2026

Location: Erlanger, KY, US, 41018

OVERVIEW

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Value Stream Leader is responsible for increasing the ratio of value to non-value and eliminating waste of the overall supply chain from start to finish for a defined product family; and for ensuring the value stream produces a quality product in a safe and cost-effective manner, that meets the production schedule and cost specifications. Additional responsibilities include:

• Creating an environment where employees feel valued, challenged and empowered by evaluating performance and potential of each employee and provide appropriate coaching.
• Analyzing production performance and implement process improvements to minimize downtime, reduce material and labor requirements, and lower overall cost per case of our products while maintaining a continuous improvement environment aligned with the SQDCPI pillar of Lean Leadership.
• Lead the team through the IWS Phase journey
• Manages and improves results to achieve the Compelling Business Need
• Communicate line, department, and plant direction to teams to gain buy-in and alignment
• Develops and leads the execution of 90 Day Plans to eliminate losses using IWS tools
• Leads Line DDS to set priorities and allocate resources
• Owns the Clean Inspect Lubricate DMS for the line(s)
• Owns the Defect Handling DMS for the line(s)
• Owns the Incident Elimination DMS for the line(s)
• Leads issue resolution to root cause on the floor of chronic stops
• Coaches Shift Team Leaders in the shift exchange DDS
• Coaches operating teams on the use of IWS tools (e.g. IPS, 6W2H, why-why)
• Perform health checks and takes appropriate actions to improve the health of the systems if necessary
• Defines and agrees targets and development objectives with direct reports in line with skill matrices and frequently reviews and provides feedback on progress
• Interfaces with planning, materials supply management and QA

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• Bachelors or Associate Degree in business management or work equivalent experience
• Lean, Six Sigma certifications a plus
• Prior Value Stream or Supervisor Experience in a Manufacturing environment, 5+ years preferred
• Prior experience in TPM or Autonomous Maintenance fundamentals preferred
• Prior experience in developing highly performing teams
• Prior experience in managing IWS preferred
• Thorough knowledge of GMP’s, HACCP and OSHA regulations
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for coaching, developing and performance reviews of employees; including disciplinary actions
• Leads by example including demonstration of all job functions, with consistent enforcement of all company policies
• Proficient with Microsoft Office systems (word, excel, outlook)
• Excellent communication skills including oral and written presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and drive change management

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, 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

Join the Sweet Life by applying today!

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.