Pump Operator

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.

$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.

• 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 day’s 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.

• 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.

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.

• Competitive hourly pay and overtime opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• A defined‑benefit…