Evaporator Operator

Production Evaporator Operator

Meduri Farms, Inc., family owned and operated founded in 1984, has since grown to become a premier supplier of specialty dried fruits to food manufacturers around the world. Our operations are in Dallas Oregon, located 60 miles southwest of Portland in Oregon's agriculturally fertile Willamette Valley. Meduri Farms is looking to add several Evaporator Operators to our team. This is a challenging and dynamic position, in a positive team environment. We provide a great benefits package and opportunity for growth.

Job Snapshot:

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot evaporator systems to ensure plant production schedules are obtained.
• Control sugar usage while maintaining premium product quality.
• Full-time plus occasional required overtime. Experience preferred but not required, in Food, Agriculture, Manufacturing, General Labor, Other.
• Wages $19.70 - $22.20 an hour as defined. Training starts at $19.70 plus shift differentials and potential bonuses. Upon completion of training (approx. 90 - 180 days) the wage increases to $22.20. Further increases are available in set increments based on completion of additional performance goals and position up to $24.20 at this time.
• Candidate must be able to work any day of the week, plus overtime with little to no notice and be able to work any shift Day, Swing or Grave.
• Shift differential in addition to regular wage for Swing and Grave is an additional $2.00 an hour after the first 30 days of initial training.

Job Responsibilities:

• Learn, execute, and operate multiple evaporator systems with a touch screen user interface and manual controls to concentrate a variety of products to specified density through evaporation techniques at an efficient level to fulfill plant demands.
• Observe, regulate, and record frequent reading of equipment's data such as temperatures, system pressures, brix/density, vacuum, etc., and adjust as necessary depending on type of product to be produced.
• Always follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and when performing Clean in Place (CIPs) and operating machinery while wearing a variety of provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Proper Daily checks on operation of all equipment such as checking motors, seal water, pumps, pipes, fittings, etc. Troubleshoot all issues regarding operation of evaporator systems. Provide assistance to maintenance personnel when needed for machine repairs or troubleshooting.
• Ensure that Good Manufacturing Practices Policy (GMP's), Safety and Health Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations are being followed.
• Communicate with fellow team members, other shifts, production supervisors, infusion and production managers for production requirements and report any downtime and/or issues.

Job Competencies and Requirements:

• Must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to problem solve effectively within a continually evolving and demanding environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the products manufactured and the processes involved.
• Basic understanding of equipment operations and minor troubleshooting ability.
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to communicate effectively to maintain high levels of Safety, Quality and Efficiency.
• Assist in training new team members as requested.
• Ability to read and comprehend standard operating procedures (SOP's) and company guidelines to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Ability to understand and calculate daily production needs.
• Participates and communicates effectively and maintains a positive demeanor in group situations and with co-workers while under stressful situations and be able to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to use or learn to use tools, forklift, scissor, and boom style lifts safely to perform essential job duties when necessary.
• Ability to have numerous different demands, be able to prioritize, multi-task and manage several different machines at the same time.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical Demands – Employee is required to be on their feet (100 % of the time) to walk, stand and occasionally use stairs. The employee must occasionally (up to 10% of the time) lift and/or move, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Work Environment –Employee may encounter cold and hot working conditions in a non-climate-controlled environment. Employees can be frequently exposed to outside elements for sometimes extended periods of time (wind, rain, heat, cold, snow, etc.) The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Employees are frequently exposed to chemicals during CIP and sanitation processes may include cleaning products such as Typhoon (Caustic), Flo-Klor (Sanitizer) descaling acids, foaming agents, and other cleaning products.
• Protective Equipment – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required and provided depending on the job being performed, including protective eye wear, hearing protection, uniform smocks, hair, and beard nets. Additional equipment is required when working with chemicals such as breathing apparatuses, rubber gloves, boots and use of chemical proof aprons or clothing as appropriate for the job being performed.

Education / Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and safety programs is desirable.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.70 - $22.20 per hour