Fruit Quality Lab Manager: Phenotyping & Postharvest Lead

Sun World International; Wasco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bonus potential

Job summary

Sun World International LLC is seeking a highly organized Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager for its Wasco, CA facility. You will oversee lab operations, manage storage systems, and ensure robust phenotyping and postharvest assessments across multiple fruit crops.

The role integrates with breeding technology, genomics, and field operations teams. The ideal candidate will have lab management experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in plant science, food science, horticulture, biology, or related field with laboratory management experience.
• Experience training and supervising technical staff.
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and workflow management abilities.
• Experience coordinating seasonal or high-volume laboratory operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the fruit quality laboratory, including space, equipment, supplies, safety, and workflow coordination.
• Maintain cold rooms, freezers, environmental chambers, and shared work areas in good condition.
• Lead and train seasonal staff, technicians, student interns, and visiting researchers; enforce SOPs and QA/QC.
• Coordinate phenotyping workflows across multiple fruit crops, ensure timely and rigorous evaluations.
• Oversee sample intake, labeling, tracking, storage, and standardized postharvest assessments.
• Ensure data entry accuracy and integrity in databases, and support protocol development for phenotyping and postharvest evaluations.

Skills

Laboratory management

Staff training

Data quality control

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Biology, or related field

Master’s degree in Plant Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Biology, or related field

Tools

Excel

Breeding database

Digital inventory/barcoding tools

Job description

Sun World International LLC is seeking a highly organized Fruit Quality Laboratory Manager for its Wasco, CA facility. You will oversee lab operations, manage storage systems, and ensure robust phenotyping and postharvest assessments across multiple fruit crops.

The role integrates with breeding technology, genomics, and field operations teams. The ideal candidate will have lab management experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.