FSQ Quality Technician

Come grow your career with Berner Food & Beverage...the EMPLOYER Choice! Experience and Work in our quality department, and became an expert in analyzing the products we produce.

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

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 a 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.

Position Summary: The Food Safety Quality Technician (FSQ Technician) plays a critical role in supporting and strengthening food safety, quality, and compliance across production operations. This position focuses on identifying knowledge gaps, supporting audit readiness, reinforcing procedural compliance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives within the facility.

FSQ Technicians act as a cross-functional support resource for Operations, Quality, and Food Safety by conducting gap assessments, assisting with audits, supporting corrective actions, and improving documentation systems. This role requires strong communication, technical proficiency, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities: Gap Analysis & Compliance Monitoring. Conduct gap assessments using SafetyCulture to evaluate employee knowledge in:

• Food Safety principles
• Critical Control Points (CCPs)
• SOPs and SSOPs
• GMPs and Safety Practices
• Job-specific responsibilities
• Identify knowledge and training gaps and communicate findings to leadership
• Monitor production areas to ensure adherence to procedures and policies

Audit Support & Readiness

• Assist in preparation for internal and external audits (AIB, SQF, customer, state, and federal)
• Participate in line audits and pre-audit readiness checks
• Support corrective action implementation and follow-up activities

Operational Support & Continuous ImprovementMonitor production areas for:o Process deviationso Recurring hold issueso Procedural non-complianceCollaborate with Operations and Quality teams to:o Identify root causeso Implement corrective actionso Provide on-the-spot coaching when necessaryGMP & Safety Programs

• Complete assigned GMP audits on a monthly basis
• Conduct Behavior-Based Safety Observations (BBSOs) (minimum of 4 per month)
• Identify and document safety risks or concerns

Documentation & SOP ImprovementAssist in reviewing, updating, and consolidating SOPs and SSOPs to:o Reflect current operational practiceso Improve clarity and usabilityo Reduce redundancy and improve accessibilitySupport formatting and document standardization using Microsoft WordMaintenance & Facility Observations

• Identify equipment issues, temporary repairs, or facility concerns
• Document findings and generate maintenance work orders as needed

Cross-Functional Quality Support

• Provide support to Quality departments (Food & Beverage) during:
  • Trials
  • Assist in other areas of quality when needed

  Working Conditions• Indoors• Walking on wet and slippery floors• Standing/Walking up to 90% of shift.

  
  Pay Range: $20.00-26.00(based on experience); For the PM shift, there is a $1.00 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.