Material Distribution Support

Sun World International; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

Sun World International in Bakersfield is seeking a Material Distribution Support specialist. This role entails supporting the distribution of plant materials while ensuring compliance with IP and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and at least 3 years of experience in the fruit export industry. The position offers a pay rate of $27.00 - $30.00 per hour and is onsite Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in the fruit export industry.
• Experience in plant material movement or import and export trade compliance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the end-to-end supply chain for plant material.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Licensing teams for material distribution.
• Ensure compliance with phytosanitary and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Plant material movement

Supply Chain Management

Regulatory Compliance

Operational Excellence

Education

Relevant degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Supply Chain, or Logistics

Job description

Sun World International is a global leader in the breeding, development, and licensing of premium fresh fruit varieties. We partner with growers in more than 30 countries to bring innovative table grape, stone fruit, and other produce varieties to market.

Material Distribution Support

The Material Distribution Support role is responsible for supporting and executing the global distribution of Sun World varieties’ plant material in line with Sun World’s Intellectual Property and Commercial strategies. The incumbent ensures the effective and compliant placement of Sun World’s varieties in production countries, and in all countries where plant material presence is a prerequisite for IP protection as defined by Leadership and/or Legal Team. The role supports and executes distribution strategies in line with variety evaluation goals, commercial goals, and intellectual property protection frameworks.

Key Accountabilities And Responsibilities

• Leadership & Distribution Management: Coordinates the end-to-end supply chain, from source to quarantine, optimizing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability opportunities to meet commercial objectives.
• Commercial & IP Integration: Collaborates with the Commercial and Licensing teams to ensure material distribution plans are fully aligned with commercial testing and/or launch forecasts, market development goals, and licensee commitments.
• Track material status in each country during precommercial stages.
• Hand off Plant Material management to the licensing team after release from quarantine and to either Phase 3b or Phase 4.
• Ensure all distribution activities rigorously adhere to Sun World’s intellectual property rights and contractual obligations.
• Operational Excellence & Process Improvement: Ensures operational excellence in distributing material; helps develop and apply established processes for material distribution from clean hubs to destination geographies; ensures material harvest is conducted at optimal timing and arrives in proper condition; coordinates destruction of discarded varieties in accordance with local procedures and in coordination with local teams.
• Maintain and enhance robust systems for tracking plant material requests, shipments, quarantine clearance, and inventory levels.
• Ensure compliance with all domestic and international phytosanitary and regulatory requirements for plant material movement in collaboration with product management team.
• Stakeholder & Team Leadership: Fosters strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders (Breeding R&D, Legal, Commercial, Finance) to ensure strategic alignment.
• Key Working Relationships: Works closely with Licensing, GTS, and Marketing for material distribution; breeding hubs for budwood collection, packing, and shipping; Legal for activities that align plant material movement and IP protection.

Requirements

• Relevant degree or diploma in Business Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Supply Chain, or Logistics.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the fruit export industry with experience in plant material movement or import and export trade compliance.

Work Schedule

This role will be onsite Monday through Friday at our Bakersfield office.

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.

Salary Description

$27.00 - $30.00 per hour