Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

LOCATION: Sun World Center for Innovation (Wasco, CA)
DEPARTMENT: Product Development - Breeding Technology
POSITION TYPE: Full time, Onsite

Ranked in the Top 20 of the Forbes Best-In-State Companies in 2026, Sun World International is a California-based agriculture and technology firm engaged in fruit variety development, technology, intellectual property, and licensing. Technology and IP pursuits include one of the world’s leading fruit breeding/genetics programs, a broad-based portfolio of plant patents and trademarks and investments in agriculture technology start-ups benefiting its global licensees. The Company prizes creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Its people strive for excellence by demonstrating leadership, passion, kindness, authenticity, courage, initiative, and curiosity.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

At the heart of Sun World’s business is a commitment to developing new fruit varieties that can be grown in a sustainable way and optimized for yield, flavor, and appearance. The Product Development program focuses on fast-moving technology and developing the next generation of fruit genetics to meet grower challenges and consumer expectations. The Sun World Center for Innovation (CFI) in Wasco, California supports the Breeding of table grape, cherry, stone fruit, mango and citrus. At Sun World you are part of a team that values passion, respect, and leadership to envision and create the future. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a highly organized and hands-on Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager to oversee daily operations of our fruit quality, postharvest, and sensory laboratory. This role ensures high quality phenotyping, consistent sample handling, and smooth coordination across breeding, breeding technology, genomics, and field operations teams. 

As the technical owner of the Fruit Quality Lab, this position manages workflows, staff, equipment, and storage systems, including pollen, seed, budwood, and cold storage inventories, and plays a critical role in generating reliable, standardized data that drives variety advancement decisions. The ideal candidate brings strong laboratory management experience, excellent organizational skills, and thrives in a fast-moving, seasonally intense environment.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Fruit quality laboratory management & coordination  

· Oversee all day to day operations of the fruit quality laboratory, including allocation of lab space, equipment, supplies, safety, and workflow coordination. Maintain inventory systems for supplies, consumables, chemicals, tools, and personal protective equipment.

· Maintain cold rooms, freezers, environmental chambers, and shared work areas in a clean, safe, and fully functional condition.

· Manage lab equipment maintenance, calibration schedules, vendor service, and troubleshooting, ensure consistent experimental execution, proper metadata collection, and high-quality data organization and quality control (QC).

· Lead and train seasonal staff, technicians, student interns, and visiting researchers; enforce lab SOPs, QA/QC, and safety procedures.

2. Fruit quality, postharvest physiology & sensory research support

· Coordinate and execute phenotyping workflows across multiple fruit crops, ensuring accurate, timely, and scientifically rigorous evaluations.

· Manage sample intake, labeling, tracking, storage, and standardized postharvest assessments, including firmness, Brix/TA, defect evaluation, shelf life, and sensory attributes.

· Oversee and validate laboratory data entry into databases, routinely auditing for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established quality standards.

· Assist in the development, optimization, and cross-crop standardization of phenotyping and postharvest evaluation protocols.

· Coordinate harvest logistics and sample processing during peak seasons to ensure timely evaluations that support real-time decision-making.

· Collaborate closely with breeding, farming and research teams (breeding technology, genomic and GTS) to align laboratory workflows with breeding program objectives and research priorities. Provide timely communication of lab readiness, experiment progress, and data completion.

3. Sensory studies & fruit show management

· Coordinate logistics for fruit shows and sensory events, including sample preparation, room setup, display organization, and on-site execution. Manage day-to-day operations of the fruit show room, including space planning, equipment, and work areas.

· Support descriptive panels and consumer sensory studies by preparing samples, performing quality checks, and assisting with data collection.

· Ensure accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across sensory-related workflows, and deliver well-organized data summaries in a timely manner.

4. Biological material management (pollen, seed, budwood)

· Maintain high accuracy digital records of all biological materials, including storage location, identity, age, and viability.

· Oversee pollen collection, drying, processing, and storage for multiple crops; train staff and enforce clean handling and viability preserving protocols.

· Manage seed and budwood processing, chemical treatments, storage conditions, and distribution logistics.

· Ensure appropriate environmental conditions for long term viability and prevent contamination or mislabeling.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Biology, or related field plus four (4) years of demonstrated experience managing a research laboratory or similar technical environment OR a Master's degree in Plant Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Biology, or related field plus two (2) years of demonstrated experience managing a research laboratory or similar technical environment.

· Experience training and supervising technical staff.

· Strong organizational, scheduling, and workflow management abilities.

· Experience coordinating seasonal or high-volume laboratory operations.

· Proficiency with Excel spreadsheets, digital inventory/barcoding tools, and data recording systems (breeding database).

· Excellent communication skills and team-oriented mindset.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience with perennial or asexually propagated crops.

· Experience with postharvest evaluations, sensory science, or fruit quality assessment.

· Ability to speak Spanish is highly preferred. 

· Familiarity with indoor phenotyping equipment and instrumentation.

Experience analyzing data and data quality control. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires regular sitting and operating laboratory instruments, tools, and computers, as well as the ability to communicate effectively. The employee will frequently stand, walk, bend, and perform repetitive tasks. The role requires the ability to lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

The position involves active work in multiple operational environments, including laboratories, greenhouses, exterior field areas, and cold storage facilities. The employee must be able to work in varying temperatures, humidity levels, and seasonal outdoor conditions.

 

Compensation range : A base salary range of $85,000 to $110,000 (depending on experience) plus a target bonus of 20%.

Of note : Preference will be given to local candidates; however, will consider offering some relocation assistance for the right candidate. 

Sun World International LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity. The company does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic forbidden under federal, state or local law.

Requirements: