Production Supervisor - Beverage Division

Job Description

Job Description

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 values25. 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.

Summary:

The position of Production Supervisor reports to the Shift Production Manager and ensures that the Processing and Downstream teams are performing their job functions properly and that the area is kept in a neat, clean, and efficient manner. Supervises employees in a manufacturing environment: plans and assigns work, implements policies and procedures, and recommends improvements in production methods, equipment, safety, operating procedures, and working conditions. This person will directly supervise people and will be responsible for ensuring that their direct reports are trained and competent for the position they occupy. Good time management skills and a flexible work schedule to accommodate a fast-paced production environment are a must. A hands-on management style for training and support of the operations team is also needed.

Essentials, Duties, and Responsibilities:

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

• Conducting daily production meetings with their employees.

• Day-to-day production activities including:

• Ensuring the safety of everyone

• Product Changeovers

• Ensuring employees follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices).

• Ensuring product integrity/quality throughout production by using HACCP and Quality Control Points established

• Collaborates with the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Departments to ensure compliance with all quality SOP.

• 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 specific lines and employees meeting and exceeding efficiency standards.

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

• Ensures all areas of the lines and production are meeting sanitary guidelines.

• Maintain and Improve OEE for each line.

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

• Lead, motivate, mentor, and develop Production Personnel

• Ensuring equipment and product utilization based on limiting downtime and equipment optimal speed

• Ensuring product quality by meeting all set specifications and formulations.

• Ensuring specific production line is functioning as designed from beginning to end

• Thorough understanding of 5S and lean manufacturing.

• Experience managing by KPIs and performance-based metrics.

• Ensuring finished product specifications are being followed by employees i.e., correct labels, date codes, case stickers, etc.

• Signing off on the production sheet before and after each production run.

• Overseeing start-ups, set-ups, changeovers, and shutdowns

• Verification of any other form or paperwork used on the production floor is being completed correctly.

• Overseeing the training and utilization of the Production Leads to optimize the production efficiency, reduce downtime, and speed changeovers and line cleanings.

• Managing and participating in projects as assigned.

• Ensuring that all areas are appropriately prepared for a smooth shift transition

• Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Ensures that cooks are batching product according to established recipes and following all batching procedures including verifying raw material numbers, lot numbers, water/sugar meter settings, etc.

• Partners with the Quality Assurance management to ensure compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) program.

• Partners with Maintenance Team to ensure all production equipment/machinery is functioning properly.

• Work with Safety Coordinator/Safety Manager to implement safety-training programs to meet the plant goal of zero “lost time” or recordable accidents.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Technical or Managerial field of expertise. (relevant experience may substitute for a degree).
• Minimum of 3 years of Supervisory experience in a related industry. Good overall knowledge of safety, sanitation, manufacturing operations, and quality.
• Team player. Has the ability to work with other employees, departments, and customers on the adequate resolution of issues and the successful completion of projects. Can develop teams as needed to develop the organization.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to navigate basic software programs
• Well-developed conflict resolution skills.
• Attention to detail, self-motivated, good communicator with a high level of integrity. Ability to give and receive praise and areas of improvement
• Familiarity/willingness and ability to become familiar with LSS tools and fundamentals such as 5Whys, RCA, CIL, Process Controls, etc.
• Ability to work in an environment that values being lean and agile in day-to-day operations.
• Comfortable with change and able to be a positive force for change.

Working Conditions:

• Indoors

• Walking on wet and slippery floors

• Standing/Walking up to 100% of the shift

Pay Range: $65000.00-85,000.00 - 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.

Berner Food & Beverage Hourly employees are eligible for health benefits on the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment.

Berner Food & Beverage Hourly employees are eligible to participate in the 401K plan after 30 days of employment.

All job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description must be performed onsite at our designated workplace location. This position does not offer remote, hybrid, or telecommuting work options. Applicants must be able and willing to work in person as a condition of employment.

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.