Job Description

We are looking for a great leader like yourself! Come be part of the employer of choice and have an impact!

Berner Food & Beverage's mission is to be a world-class manufacturer of food and beverages, by we are the provider and employee of choice. We will strive to:

• Ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality for our customers' brands.
• Foster a culture that promotes a safe, productive, inclusive, respectful, and meaningful work environment for our employees.
• Instill a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and growth to achieve sustainable, consistent performance.

Berner Food & Beverage, headquartered in Dakota, Illinois, is recognized as an employer of choice in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, offering a dynamic, team-oriented environment where employee development and career success are core values . The company is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and innovative workplace, making it an attractive destination for skilled maintenance professionals.

State-of-the-Art Automation

Berner operates a state-of-the-art, SQF Level III-certified facility, featuring advanced automation and manufacturing technologies. Their 290,000-square-foot plant expansion has tripled production space and introduced cutting-edge equipment, supporting a wide range of shelf-stable beverages, dips, sauces, and aerosol cheese products. This modern infrastructure ensures that Maintenance Technicians work with the latest systems and play a key role in keeping operations running smoothly.

Great Benefits and Flexible Work Schedule

Employees at Berner enjoy a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental coverage, and a 401(k) plan. The company values work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules that accommodate different shifts and personal needs, making it easier for technicians to manage their professional and personal commitments.

Industry Recognition

This Year (2025), Berner Food & Beverage was a finalist in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” tournament, highlighting the company’s innovation and leadership in the industry for its Aerosol Cheese Products. This recognition underscores Berner’s reputation for producing high-quality, in-demand products and its commitment to manufacturing excellence.

Reports to: Director of Operations

Summary: The Operations Manager will report to the Sr Director of Operations as an immediate contact person. In addition to management and supervision of production, the Operations Manager also leads efforts to continuously control costs, improve efficiency, and increase productivity. The Operations Manager will have oversight (in accordance with HR) of the line(s) personnel and determine ways to maximize human capital. The Operations Manager will also implement and enforce policies and procedures , coordinate with leaders from other departments, and interact with upper management. The Operations Manager will need to be flexible with work schedules, which may include different shifts and additional hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

· Promoting and implementing Berners’s values, work ethics, and team concept approach in all supervisory techniques.

· Able to implement continuous and process improvements to enhance the efficiencies of the production floor/lines.

· Lead and drive production across several shifts.

· Thorough understanding of production staff coordination and development. Ensure individuals are in the correct positions on the production floor in collaboration with the production supervisors.

· Ensure set KPIs are being followed by Production Supervisors.

· Participate in the strategic planning process and help develop long-range plans to meet business profit and growth objectives.

· Develops, reviews, and implements strategies and actions resulting in continuous improvement in safety, product quality, product delivery, productivity, material utilization, customer service, workforce diversity, quality of work life, and lower manufacturing costs.

· Provides assistance to the Engineering Department in the selection, layout, and installation of new equipment and the improvement of current equipment in the production area.

· Cooperates with the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Departments to ensure compliance with all quality SOPs.

· Supports the Quality and technical departments with any audits, including GMP Certifications, SQF, or any customer-specific audits. • Ensures and maintains appropriate files for tracking batch and productivity records.

· Tracks productivity numbers for all lines and employees for all beverage lines, meeting and exceeding efficiency standards.

· Have knowledge of Berners’ Co-Manufacturing Customers, including: customer needs, product strategy, and customer specifications.

· Improve and maintain OEE for each line.

· Lead efforts to continuously control costs, improve efficiency and increase production

· Determine staffing requirements for all night shift production

· Determine methods to maximize human capital

· Lead, motivate, mentor, and develop Production Personnel

· Ensures effective employee relations: Provides coaching for development. Resolves employee issues through problem resolution and disciplinary action.

· Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety, and morale to achieve positive results in all areas.

· Ensures the department meets all compliance standards

· Ensures product integrity throughout the production process by using HACCP and Quality Control points established and posted on the production floor

· Ensures safety by implementing and monitoring safe operating procedures.

· Facilitating communication between departments to ensure overall company effectiveness

· Managing and participating in projects as assigned by the Director of Operations and COO.

· Ensure with Supervisors, staff, and quality personnel that correct ingredients are being used (lot verification), blend and grind, and the cook areas.

· Ensure with Production Managers, Supervisors, and staff that partials are being weighed up in approved containers, are labeled, and covered. (including condiments)

· Ensure with supervisors and staff that batches are being staged on the table in the cooking area, and on pallets in the blend and grind.

Training, Education & Experience

· Demonstrate knowledge of the Retort Process by earning a Better Food Processing Certificate

· Leadership: a demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others

· Planning: an ability to think ahead and prepare actions to achieve results

· 2 – 3 Years Supervisory Experience: Including employee hiring and retention, performance review, and discipline

· Ability to measure performance against goals and standards

· Ability to lead, motivate, and develop others

· Ability to speak persuasively and listen effectively

· Ability to manage multiple priorities

· Problem analysis and resolution skills

· Ability to achieve positive results in the areas of safety, quality, productivity, and employee relations.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

· Strong team player

· B.A. Business/ Sciences, or will take work-related experiences in place of education.

Working Conditions:

• Indoors

• Walking on wet and slippery floors

• Standing/Walking up to 100% of the shift

• 12-hour shifts

Pay Range: $115000.00-140,000.00 - Salary (based on experience)

Benefits Offered: Medical, Vision, Dental, Flex Spending, Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment; Short and Long Term Disability, EAP, and 401k.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet Berner Food & Beverage’s ongoing needs.

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