Job Summary/Purpose 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.
Essential Job functions/ Duties:
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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.
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Customer Facility Evaluations
- 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.
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Postharvest Process Assessments
- 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
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Chemical and Wax Application Monitoring
- 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
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Fungicide Resistance Surveillance
- 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
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Reporting and Communication
- 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.
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Technical Support and Research Assistance
- 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
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Storage and Treatment Planning
- Develop and recommend storage plans, regimes, and postharvest treatment protocols tailored to customer needs and fruit type
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Comprehensive Decay Management
- 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.
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Sample Collection and Analysis
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications (Education, Certifications/Licenses, and Experience:
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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.
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5 years’ Experience in the post-harvest industry including fruit handling and applied research. Familiarity with the laboratory environment and safety practices
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4 Year Bachelor's degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Plant Science, Microbiology, or other closely related field or equivalent.
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Preferred Graduate Degree
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Required Pest Control Adviser License with a minimum Category B & G, and a Qualified Applicator License.
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Required Valid drivers license
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Possesses knowledgeable with Food Safety Regulations.
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Possesses knowledge of basic fruit physiology in cold storage, de-greening rooms, etc.
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Possesses knowledge of postharvest diseases, their prevention, and control.
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Possesses knowledge of fungicide resistance assessment and management.
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Ability to be Bilingual English-Spanish.
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Possesses knowledge of Pest Control Advisor, Qualified Applicator License.
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Possesses good communication skills.
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Possesses Biological Science orientation.
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Ability to read and interpret Scientific Literature.
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Possesses good observation skills.
Well, what is this job really about?
We are looking for an individual who values hard work, fresh ideas and a commitment to excellence. At FGS we value trust, respect for each other, communication and sharing information, generating ideas and creative solutions, working in teams and developing people to add value.
At FGS, we believe that our strength and longevity is a result of the hard work and dedication from our employee’s contribution Behind our history of innovation and commitment to market leadership is a company devoted to providing continued education, excellent benefits and good working conditions. We provide all the resources you need to support your professional development, including:
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A variety of choices for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
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Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts.
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401K retirement savings plan, Match+
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Paid holiday and vacation benefits
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Internal and external training
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Educational assistance
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An open job posting system
DISCLAIMER
This job description indicates, in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between Fruit Growers Supply and its employees.
Sunkist is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, immigration status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. AAP/
M/F/V/D
