After graduating from PTU-4 in Berdychiv, he was an electrical fitter, "Progress" plant and was an engineer of VNDIMIV in Chernihiv.

In June 1979, he was the chief engineer beer non-alcoholic association "Desna" in Chernihiv.

On 23 March 1992, Melnychuk was appointed Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Chernihiv Oblast.

In November 1995 to 2002, he was the general director of CJSC "Chernihiv Brewery Plant "Desna".

On 26 December 2002, he became the governor of Chernihiv Oblast while retaining a position as a member of the Verkhovna Rada until 3 April 2003.