Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager

About the role

The Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager oversees daily operations of the fruit quality, postharvest, and sensory laboratory at Sun World International. This role ensures high quality phenotyping, consistent sample handling, and smooth coordination across breeding, breeding technology, genomics, and field operations teams.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.