Technical Advisor

About DECCO Postharvest: DECCO, an ADVANTA company, is the global leader in providing postharvest solutions to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of fresh fruits and vegetables all along the food supply chain. DECCO delivers value every day to packers, shippers, supermarkets and consumers with customized coating, decay control, sanitization and disinfection products, application technology, on-site service and almost 90 years of postharvest expertise. Our 200+ dedicated DECCO employees operate in over 40 countries. Our purpose is to enable more and better Fresh Food for the world.

About the role

The Technical Advisor provides technical advice/consultation to all stakeholders in the citrus/stone/vegetable (CSV) value chain, including growers, packers, and shippers regarding producing, storing, handling and processing of fruit and vegetables. This person is part of a team of Technical Advisors in the field leading and coordinating field trials, product & treatment recommendations, fruit and vegetable handling advice, and ensuring application protocols are followed. This person will work closely with Commercial and R&D teams to support strategic agenda initiatives focused on maximizing fruit and vegetable quality.

Responsibilities

• Advise stakeholders on the proper use of Decco products focused on protecting fruit and vegetable quality during the postharvest process.
• Provide insight into proper handling practices during the storage and shipping of commodities.
• Utilize existing skills in combination with available resources to provide creative and effective solutions.
• Achieve expert status on the known pathogens of fruit and vegetables along with the optimum control methods and products.
• Continuously improve skills and knowledge of postharvest handling practices.
• Prepare and properly utilize fungicide amended PDA plates to monitor pathogen activity and measure pesticide resistance levels; analyze results to make treatment recommendations.
• Collaborate professionally with colleagues and customers through clear communication, active listening, and respect for diverse thoughts and ideas.
• Interact with university and industry experts to stay informed on latest trends, upcoming products, and conduct research to support business opportunities.
• Focus on continuous improvement of products, applications, and handling practices to provide solutions for customer and organizational needs.
• Share knowledge of treatment and handling practices with colleagues, customers, and general audiences through training, teaching, and presenting.
• Coordinate with R&D colleagues and commercial teams to conduct lab testing and field trials with various products on numerous commodities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Pathology, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant working experience related to producing, processing, handling, and/or treatment of fruit and vegetables.
• Experience conducting research and trials on agricultural commodities.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have or are able to obtain Pest Control Advisor’s license from California DPR within 12 months of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS, MBA, or PhD in Agriculture or Crop Science related field.
• Knowledge of pesticides and general use.
• Experience with regulatory affairs and processes.
• Team leadership experience.
• Qualified Applicator’s License from California DPR.
• Knowledge of Food Safety practices and regulations.

Key Competencies

• Cultivates Innovation: Thinks creatively and implements solutions for everyday problems; strives to continually improve own processes and areas of business; puts forward proposals and develops strategic implementation plans to introduce new and improved ways of operating.
• Results Orientation: Strong capability in focusing on tasks and results to achieve goals, solving problems, maintaining productivity, and making fast decisions using a critical thinking approach.
• Organization/Project Management: Plan and schedule work according to changing priorities; designs and maintains effective systems and processes for managing work.
• Resourcefulness: Identifying, securing, and deploying resources effectively and efficiently (people, funds, infrastructure) to accomplish a goal.

Location & Travel

Ventura County and surrounding areas. Travel as needed, approximately 10%.