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Job Title:

Evaporation Operator /

Evaporation Supervisor Department:

Industrial Operations -

Evaporation and Concentrate Processing Location:

Hill View Packing, Gustine, CA Reports To:

Plant Manager Work Schedule:

Full-Time, Non-Exempt; day and evening shifts available, with occasional weekends and extended hours during peak production.

Pay Rate:

Based on experience and skills. Hill View Packing is a well-established, privately held fruit processing manufacturer known for superior product quality. We are seeking Evaporation Operators and Evaporation Supervisors to join our Industrial Operations team, running and maintaining the systems that concentrate and process our fruit products - including cook tanks, evaporators, decanters, flash chillers, holding tanks, and the hydraulic and pumping systems that support them. This role combines hands-on equipment operation with department-level maintenance responsibility. The Evaporator Operator/Supervisor is expected to run equipment to specification, recognize and respond to mechanical issues in real time, perform maintenance within their own department, and train other operators and assistants in day-to-day operations. 2. Key Responsibilities A. Evaporation and Thermal Processing Systems

• Operate cook tanks, multi-effect evaporators, flash chillers, and holding tanks to produce concentrate meeting Manufacturing Standard Practice (MSP) specifications.
• Monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, vacuum levels, and Brix/concentration readings throughout the evaporation process.
• Operate and monitor control room systems governing evaporation equipment.
• Recognize abnormal process conditions and respond or escalate promptly to avoid product loss or downtime. B. Decanter Operations
• Operate and monitor decanter centrifuge units as part of the evaporation and juice/concentrate process flow.
• Understand the separation process performed by the decanter and recognize signs of abnormal operation (vibration, flow, separation quality, unusual noise).
• Perform routine operator-level checks on decanter units and coordinate with maintenance on any issues beyond department-level repair.
• Follow proper startup, shutdown, and changeover procedures for decanter equipment. C. Hydraulic Systems and Pumps
• Demonstrate working familiarity with hydraulic pumps and hydraulic systems supporting decanters and associated evaporation equipment.
• Monitor hydraulic fluid levels, pressure, and general system condition; identify leaks or performance issues early.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on hydraulic and pump systems and determine when an issue requires escalation to maintenance/mechanical support.
• Maintain working knowledge of all associated evaporation equipment components - valves, transfer pumps, piping, and instrumentation. D. Sanitation & Food Safety Compliance
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Safety, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements at all times.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when performing Clean-in-Place (CIP) cycles and operating machinery.
• Maintain cleanliness of all evaporation, decanter, and associated equipment; housekeeping is a standing priority for a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Bring a CIP-improvement mindset - proactively look for ways to improve CIP cycle efficiency, coverage, and chemical/water usage, and bring recommendations to management. E. Departmental Maintenance
• Perform maintenance on machinery within own department as required, including routine and preventive maintenance tasks.
• Must be mechanically inclined and able to troubleshoot equipment issues across evaporation, decanter, and hydraulic systems.
• Escalate maintenance needs beyond department-level capability to the maintenance team in a timely manner. F. Mechanical Repair and Fabrication
• Perform routine repairs to tanks, steam lines, and associated piping within the department.
• Replace steam valves and other in-line components as part of routine and preventive maintenance.
• Service, troubleshoot, and support repair of vacuum pumps.
• Maintain plate heat exchangers, including gasket and plate inspection, cleaning, and replacement.
• Preferred /

Value-Add:

Welding experience or certification in stainless steel and mild steel is a significant plus, enabling in-house tank, steam line, and structural repairs and fabrication without relying on outside contractors. G. Documentation

• Manually record operating conditions, production data, and sanitation records accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain HACCP-related Critical Control Point (CCP) documentation as applicable to the evaporation process. H. Training and Supervision (Supervisor Track)
• Train and assist all operators and assistants in day-to-day evaporation, decanter, and equipment operations.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers and across shifts to ensure smooth handoffs and consistent operation.
• Maintain a positive demeanor under stressful or fast-paced conditions, and voice input constructively to accomplish department goals. 3. Required Knowledge and Qualifications
• Knowledge of control room systems and evaporation equipment operation preferred.
• Familiarity with decanter/centrifuge operation, or strong mechanical aptitude to learn quickly.
• Familiarity with hydraulic pumps and hydraulic systems.
• Mechanically inclined with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot industrial processing equipment.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English satisfactorily to perform essential duties.
• Able to safely operate a forklift.

Preferred / Value

-Add Qualifications (not required, but a strong plus)

• Welding experience or certification in stainless steel and mild steel.
• Experience repairing tanks and steam lines and replacing steam valves.
• Experience servicing or rebuilding vacuum pumps.
• Experience maintaining plate heat exchangers. 4. Skills and Professional Standards
• Self-motivated, with a genuine desire to cross-train across evaporation, decanter, hydraulic, and general maintenance areas.
• Willing to learn new equipment and skills as processes and technology evolve.
• Strong communication skills in group settings and one-on-one with co-workers and supervisors.
• Comfortable performing other duties as assigned. 5. Working Conditions
• Both day and evening shift positions are available; occasional weekends are required.
• Frequent long hours and occasionally a six- or seven-day work period during peak production.
• Industrial food processing environment with exposure to heat, steam, moving equipment, and wet floors; appropriate PPE required.
• Hourly rate is negotiable.

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Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $34.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance

Work Location:

In person