Spring/Summer 2026 Field Operations and Grower Representative Intern - Oxnard, CA

Smucker Fruit Processing Co • Oxnard, CA

78d • $20 - $24

About The Position

As an intern within our operations department, you will work closely with the processing manager to ensure coordination of field fruit deliveries. You will ensure proper contact and relationships with the growers in order to get harvested freezer fruit delivered to the processing plant and/or receiving station as quickly as possible.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in a 4-year degree program, Food Science, Logistics or Agri-Business major highly desired.
• Ability to read, write and speak Spanish required.
• Available in early April through the end of August.
• Able to work weekends, overtime, and night shifts.
• Excellent communication skills and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Determine daily crate volume by obtaining early morning on-site ranch estimates.
• Adjust estimates throughout afternoon re-check of harvesting ranches.
• Immediately report any significant volume changes.
• Obtain, record, and pass information to processing manager and plant manager on probable next day crate volume.
• Advise the plant manager and QC manager immediately when poor quality (soft, catfacing, contamination, etc.) is evident on any particular grower's ranch.
• Assure that all crates and pallets are distributed to the growers on an as-needed basis to prevent grower stockpiling.
• At season's end, assure all crates and pallets are returned to the Oxnard plant yard for storage, inventory, and repair.
• Obtain pesticide reports from the growers when requested and deliver to the Plant Manager.
• Maintain proper inventories of crate and pallets at receiving stations.
• Assure crates and pallets are cleaned properly prior to grower distribution.
• Work with Oxnard plant supervisor/office personnel on any grower weight tag/ grading sheet discrepancies.
• Deliver and explain corrected documentation to the growers.
• Schedule trucking to pick up fruit from the receiving stations for timely delivery to the Oxnard plant.
• Work with our growers to ensure all of their daily deliveries are made early enough to permit same day processing.
• Address any and all other concerns/problems as directed by the Plant Manager.
• Work with Oxnard processing manager to establish daily production schedule.
• Coordinate distribution of raw fruit.
• Record yield data from experimental varieties and other research plots.
• Take fruit samples as needed for lab evaluation.
• Conduct special tests, evaluations, and projects as requested by the QC Manager.
• Visually observe plant development and record.
• Inspect daily and audit grower field Good Agricultural Practices monthly using Field Sanitation Check list.
• Immediately follow up on deficiencies.
• Other duties as required.

Benefits

• Unique opportunities to network and interact with company leadership.
• Customized professional development sessions.
• Networking events and social outings with fellow interns.
• Access to a fully equipped fitness center, complete with a basketball court, indoor walking track, and recreational league sports.
• The Orchard, our gourmet cafeteria, offering breakfast and lunch with seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients.
• A competitive compensation package, including paid corporate holidays.
• Employee discounts at our Company Store.
• A housing stipend for interns relocating for the program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Food Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree