Sr. Advisor, Post-Harvest Technical

SUNKIST GROWERS LLC•Exeter, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for leading and optimizing daily post-harvest chemical application and decay control operations to ensure product quality, extended shelf life, and loss prevention. This role evaluates current practices, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives continuous improvement by applying industry standards and scientific research. Provides direction to teams to implement best-in-class procedures that support food safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. This role plays a key part in training and mentoring internal staff, service technicians, and customer personnel to ensure consistent understanding and execution of post-harvest best practices.

Requirements

5 years’ Experience in interpreting scientific publications on fruit quality and decay control practices and chemical treatments and being able to implement such knowledge in the packinghouse environment while communicating that information to average people, packinghouse personnel, packinghouse managers.
5 years’ Experience in the post-harvest industry including fruit handling and applied research. Familiarity with the laboratory environment and safety practices
4 Year Bachelor's degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Plant Science, Microbiology, or other closely related field or equivalent.
Required Pest Control Adviser License with a minimum Category B & G, and a Qualified Applicator License.
Required Valid drivers license
Possesses knowledgeable with Food Safety Regulations.
Possesses knowledge of basic fruit physiology in cold storage, de-greening rooms, etc.
Possesses knowledge of postharvest diseases, their prevention, and control.
Possesses knowledge of fungicide resistance assessment and management.
Ability to be Bilingual English-Spanish.
Possesses knowledge of Pest Control Advisor, Qualified Applicator License.
Possesses good communication skills.
Possesses Biological Science orientation.
Ability to read and interpret Scientific Literature.
Possesses good observation skills.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Graduate Degree

Responsibilities

Mentors and trains the technical team on all aspects of Postharvest advisory; customer facility evaluation, postharvest assessments, fungicide resistance surveillance, reporting, communication, research assistance, storage/treatment planning, decay management, sample collections, safety and compliance.
Conduct routine visits to customer packing facilities following a scheduled route. Assess fruit condition and decay levels weekly, evaluate current decay control practices, and identify opportunities for improvement. Collaborate with the Account Manager and customers to implement enhancements that reduce postharvest losses.
Examine fruit handling, storage conditions, degreening practices, and facility sanitation protocols. Provide expert recommendations to customers to improve post-harvest quality. Perform Dye Injury Tests to evaluate the impact of processing lines on fruit integrity.
Monitor wax and chemical application rates during packinghouse operations. Report discrepancies to the supervisor and, upon approval, coordinate with Service Technician Representatives to adjust application systems. Verify that target rates are achieved post adjustment. Collect fruit and liquid samples to assess fungicide residue levels and ensure compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Conduct field titrations to determine fungicide concentrations in aqueous solutions.
Collect airborne spore samples within packinghouses to evaluate resistance to postharvest fungicides. Analyze findings to guide treatment strategies and maintain efficacy of decay control measures.
Deliver timely and accurate reports to customers detailing fungicide residue levels, resistance status, Dye Injury Test results, and sanitation needs. Discuss findings with the supervisor to determine appropriate customer guidance and follow-up actions.
Support various technical activities including: Assisting in research trials and efficacy testing of new and existing decay control materials. Preparing titration solutions for Service Technicians and regulatory maturity tests (CDFA) for citrus and grapes. Preparing Dye Injury Test solutions. Participating in annual pesticide handling training sessions. Performing other technical duties as required in laboratory, packinghouse, and office environments.
Develop and recommend storage plans, regimes, and postharvest treatment protocols tailored to customer needs and fruit type.
Take responsibility for evaluating, preventing, and controlling all forms of fruit decay in customer packinghouses. Address issues related to fruit condition, handling, storage, and sanitation. Monitor and assess chemical and fungicide applications and suggest process improvements.
Collect fruit and fungicide solution samples for analysis. Report findings to customers and ensure that treatments are effective and compliant with industry standards.
Complete all required safety training programs and adhere to company safety procedures. Promote and support safe work practices across all operational areas.