Pacific Coast Producers, a growing agricultural cooperative with food production facilities across the West Coast, is seeking a Pump Operator (Pit Separator Monitor Back-up) to join our team at our Production Facility in Salem, OR. PCP is investing in its people and advancing a culture of service, where each employee can do their best to make affordable, high-quality food for customers across North America. Our Salem facility produces maraschino cherries and other cherry products in various styles, colors, and flavors and employs between 70-100 employees.

Pay Rate: $19.52 per hour. Full time/ 40 hours per week with some weekend and overtime hours required when needed. This position is part of a seniority based Collective Bargaining Unit (CBA) and requires work on various shifts.

Join our legacy of talented people working together to provide the highest level of customer service. PCP employees receive terrific benefit plans such as affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement savings plans, including a defined-benefit pension plan is also provided to eligible employees.

Primary job duties would include:

Maintain the saline solution at the proper level in the pit separation tank.
Mix the necessary amount of salt in the salt solution for each run.
Check and maintain the solution levels in the salt holding tank and the pit separation tank.
Monitor the stem separators, feed conveyors, shakers and pit separator to ensure equipment is running properly and fruit does not plug up. Makes adjustments as needed.
Monitor the pump and pump hopper to assure adequate water volume and that cherries do not plug the hopper.
Monitor the water holding tank to assure the system does not run out of water.
Check the rejection side of the separation system to ensure that only cherries with pits are being separated out and ensure product goes into tank within specification.
Weigh baskets of cherries and pits; mix fruit in basket and take out sample; count and record information; contact Supervisor and QA if product is outside of specification; and take appropriate correction action.
Verify with Yard Supervisor as to the year, pounds, and variety of cherries on the run.
Ensure right line is open for Red Room or CP dump.
Record starting time, finishing time, and down time.
Ensure bins with 700 pounds of brine are ready before each run.
Ensure tanks are ready before run between Red Room and CP.
Spray down machinery, clean off stems, unplug salt system to remove stems, remove or replace chutes as necessary between runs and, when time allows, at the completion of the days production.
Monitor separator table to assure only the highest qualify fruit is going into the tote bin.
Ensure QA has inspected totes before each run.
Operate pit separator equipment at expected standard rate of speed for the product being run.
Inform Yard Supervisor if quality or mechanical problems are not allowing system to run at standard rate of speed.
Monitor fruit going into tank and notify Supervisor and QAA of any changes in appearance.
Get totes of liquid calcium. Responsible for storage and recording of liquid calcium.
Ensure tote bins are weighed after the run and properly tagged.
In the absence of the Yard Supervisor, oversee the entire pit separator process.
Maintain a clean, organized and hazard free work area.
Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc. is a food processing facility and it is the responsibility of every employee to perform all job duties and other activities in a manner that upholds the safety and quality of the facilities and products produced. In addition, it is the responsibility of each employee to report all food safety issues or concerns to a Production Manager, Plant Manager or QA Management

Job Requirements:

Utilize communication skills to interact with colleagues and internal customers.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to maintain accurate and legible records.
Demonstrates mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills for intricate machinery.

Why Join PCP?

Become part of a team where your work truly matters. For over 50 years, our farmer-owned company has led the industry through innovation and a shared commitment to excellence. As an employee represented by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), you’ll be the backbone of our operations, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently, and reliably every day.

At PCP, we believe in providing more than just a job; we offer long-term stability and a benefits package you can truly count on:

Competitive hourly pay and overtime opportunities.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
A defined-benefit pension plan for long-term retirement security.
Paid time off including holidays, vacation, sick leave, and bereavement (per the CBA contract).
Employee Assistance Program and life insurance.
Reliable year-round work with a company that has been farmer-owned for more than 50 years.

About PCP Summary

Established in 1971, Pacific Coast Producers is a cooperative owned by over 165 family farmers that grow and deliver various produce, including tomatoes, peaches, pears, grapes, cherries, and more, to production facilities in California and Oregon for processing and packaging. With over 3,000 dedicated employees, PCP strives to produce the finest quality products for customers across all channels of trade, including grocery retailers and foodservice distributors throughout the United States and Canada.

Our facility is located in Salem, OR which is a thriving city in the heart of Willamette Valley, offering a vibrant downtown, strong sense of community, and access to outdoor recreation. As the capital of Oregon, it's only a 45-minute drive from Portland, making it a great location for those seeking urban amenities and a smaller community feel.

AA/EEO Policy Statement

Pacific Coast Producers is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

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