Maintenance Technician

Description

Great opportunity with the EMPLOYER of Choice! Come experience and work on our state-of-the-art automation.  Flexible schedule and great benefits!  

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.

Position Summary:

Berner Food & Beverage offers Maintenance Technicians the opportunity to work in a modern, innovative environment with excellent benefits, flexible scheduling, and the prestige of being part of an award-winning manufacturer. 

Support the Preventive Maintenance (PM) program to continually reduce unscheduled downtime.

· Analyze problems and interpret technical information necessary to make required repairs (troubleshooting of equipment issues).

· Perform mechanical maintenance and repairs on production machinery and facility support equipment.

· Inspect, operate, and test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunction and validate work performed.

· Ensure safety by following all company policies, including safety rules, procedures, Lock-out / Tag-out procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), personal safety standards, food safety standards as well as OSHA standards.

· Troubleshoot equipment as well as plant mechanical systems and develop sustainable solutions accordingly.

· Complete all assigned work orders within the time allotted. Maintain complete records of work performed using software, work orders, and detailed logs, and have good communication skills across all groups/departments.

· Assist with equipment changeovers and line startups, troubleshooting issues as needed.

· Identify required parts and maintain current inventories and parts reorder lists.

· Assure that all products are manufactured to the highest standard of quality.

· Participates in Continuous Improvement, also provides suggestions to improve processes, and participates in team projects.

· Continue to grow maintenance and leadership skillsets through assigned training.

This position will also support facility maintenance and will be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of our steam boilers, water chillers, cooling towers, well pumps, HVAC, and various other plant utility equipment. Due to the high volume of data collection, internal and external data publishing that the technicians are responsible for, good written and verbal communication skills are a must-have skill set for the role.

Position Requirements

· Food manufacturing experience preferred.

· Must be able to learn basic computer skills to process work orders.

· Strong mechanical background in maintaining, troubleshooting, and installing bearings.

· Strong mechanical background with maintaining, troubleshooting, and installing seals and gaskets.

· Strong plus if trained and experienced in compressed air systems, basic plumbing/piping, Boilers, and Hydraulics.

· Strong mechanical background in a production setting; troubleshooting and repairing gearboxes, sprocket/chains, belts, clutches, bearings, and brakes.

· Knowledgeable in the use of all power tools, hand tools, drill presses, shop tools, etc.

· Ability to read and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance manuals, procedure manuals, and instructions furnished in written oral, diagram, or schedule form.

· Must be able to work from drawings, schematics, sketches, and verbal communication.

· Must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment on assigned projects/ tasks and report to supervision the status of each as needed.

· Willing to work shift schedules plus overtime as dictated by the needs of the business, including weekends and holidays.

· Practical problem-solving skills and ability to deal with a variety of variables.

· Must grow Maintenance and Leadership skills through assigned training.

· Must be a collaborative team member and demonstrate behaviors consistent with Berner's expectations.

· Ability to learn and understand the principles of the Berner Maintenance and Manufacturing Transformation, including lean tools, process capability, and operational discipline.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

· Ability to lift 50-70 lbs. Performs highly repetitive motions, stands for eight-plus hours, talks, and hears.

· Ability to climb ladders and stairways, use a man-lift/scissor lift at ceiling heights or above with proper safety equipment, and work in a non-air-conditioned environment.

- May require going into a confined space on the manufacturing floor.

· While performing job duties, the associate will frequently walk, use hands to feel or handle, and reach with hands and arms. Frequent exposure to oils and greases or coolants.

· While performing job duties, the associate will occasionally sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and smell. Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; and vibration.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The role of maintenance in this business is to ensure the reliability of equipment and improve the

overall equipment effectiveness of all machines. Technicians will work safely and cohesively to

provide mechanical and electrical skills to support the building, manufacturing equipment, and

support equipment as directed by the Maintenance Manager and /or Maintenance Planner /

Scheduler.

*Candidate must be able to read and write in the English Language.

This position will also support facility maintenance and will be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of our steam boilers, water chillers, cooling towers, well pumps, HVAC, and various other plant utility equipment. Due to the high volume of data collection and internal and external data publishing that the technicians are responsible for, good written and verbal communication skills are a must-have skill set for the role.

Key Job Responsibilities/Requirements:

• Candidates should have technical training in a maintenance-related field or three years of experience in industrial equipment maintenance. Boiler, chiller, or HVAC training preferred along with Mechanical Maintenance experience
• Must be able to learn our daily wet chemistry water testing, and have the skills to accurately record the data.
• Computer literacy at least at a basic level.
• Maintain a professional appearance and attitude.
• Must be able to perform mechanical and electrical repairs to our equipment in accordance with the procedures documented in technical manuals or preventative maintenance work order instructions.
• Candidates must supply, keep, and maintain the appropriate basic tools required for the job.
• Must be able to lift, stand, walk, climb ladders, and do other physical activities throughout the performance of their duties.

1500.00 (Sign-on bonus). To be paid in two parts (one after 90 working days; second after 180 working days) 

Pay Range: $22.00-28.00 (based on experience); For the PM shift there is a $2.00 Shift Differential for this position.

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.

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.

Salary : $22 - $28