Material Distribution Support

Sun World; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 35,817 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

Sun World in Bakersfield is seeking a Material Distribution Support professional to manage the global distribution of plant materials, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will coordinate the supply chain, work closely with cross-functional teams, and support the execution of distribution strategies.

This position requires a relevant degree and a minimum of 3 years in the fruit export industry. The wage ranges from $26.00 to $30.00 per hour based on experience.

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 distribution.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure alignment with commercial goals.
• Ensure compliance with international regulations for plant material movement.

Skills

Supply Chain Management

Plant Material Movement

Logistics Coordination

Regulatory Compliance

Education

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

Job description

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. Come grow with us!

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. This role operationally ensures the effective and compliant placement of Sun World’s varieties in production countries, as well as in all countries where plant material presence is a prerequisite for IP protection as defined by Leadership and/or Legal Team. The incumbent is accountable for supporting and executing provided distribution strategies in line with variety evaluation goals, commercial goals, and intellectual property protection frameworks.

1. Leadership & Distribution Management

• Co‑ordinates the end-to-end supply chain, from source to quarantine optimizing efficiency, cost‑effectiveness, and scalability opportunities with the role to meet commercial objectives.

2. Commercial & IP Integration

• Collaborates with the Commercial and Licensing teams to ensure material distribution plan execution is/are fully aligned with commercial testing and/or commercial launch forecasts, market development goals, and licensee commitments.
• Keep track of the status of each material in the different countries in precommercial stages.
• Hand off Plant Material management to the licensing team after the Plant Material is release from quarantine and to either Phase 3b or Phase 4.
• Supporting that all distribution activities rigorously adhere to Sun World’s intellectual property rights and contractual obligations.

3. Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Ensuring operational excellence in distributing material to the target markets.
• Help develop and apply established processes for material distribution from clean hubs to destination geographies.
• Ensure material harvest is conducted at optimal timing for arrival arrives in proper conditions to the target geographies.
• Co‑ordinating that varieties that are discarded are destroyed and disposed in accordance to the local procedures and in coordination with the local teams.
• Maintains and enhances robust systems for tracking plant material requests, shipments, quarantine clearance, and inventory levels.
• Ensures compliance with all domestic and international phytosanitary and regulatory requirements for plant material movement in collaboration with product management team.

4. Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Fosters strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders (Breeding R&D, Legal, Commercial, Finance) to ensure strategic alignment.

5. Key Working Relationships

• Works closely with Licensing, GTS, and Marketing by supporting and tracking material distribution.
• Works closely with Breeding hubs to initiate the budwood collection, packing, and shipping.
• Works closely with Legal, supporting 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.

Compensation

This role pays an hourly wage of $26.00 to $30.00 per hour - depending on experience.

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.