Senior Plant Pathologist

The Wonderful Company LLC; California (MO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Advancement Opportunities

Focused Learning and Development

Empowering Mentorship Program

Job summary

A leading agricultural firm is seeking a Senior Plant Pathologist in California to enhance fruit quality through innovative postharvest solutions. This role focuses on strategic leadership, disease management, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. and 8+ years of relevant experience in plant pathology and fresh produce R&D. A competitive salary and potential bonuses are offered, alongside opportunities for career advancement in a company committed to corporate social responsibility.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in plant pathology or R&D.
• Proven track record of applied research impacting commercial outcomes.
• Experience with fresh fruit commodities and storage systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a scientific strategy to extend the fresh fruit season.
• Lead disease management and postharvest preservation initiatives.
• Design and oversee experimental programs for pre-harvest and postharvest.

Skills

Plant disease epidemiology

Postharvest pathology

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Postharvest Biology, Horticulture or related field

Tools

Controlled atmosphere storage

Cold chain systems

Job description

Senior Plant Pathologist|POM Wonderful# Senior Plant PathologistPOM Wonderful | Del Rey, CA | Research/science/R&D | Mid-Senior Level | Full-time | Job ID: REF7114ZShare* Email## Company DescriptionFrom tree to table, POM Wonderful delivers a whole lot of health. Known for our iconic double-bubble bottle, we grow, harvest, package, and market fresh pomegranates, pomegranate arils, and a selection of delicious pomegranate-blended juices and teas. With over 9,000 acres in California’s Central Valley, POM Wonderful is committed to unleashing the antioxidant power of our handpicked pomegranates.The Senior Plant Pathologist is a scientific and strategic leader responsible for extending the commercial availability, quality, and marketability of fresh fruit through advanced plant pathology, postharvest biology, and integrated disease management solutions. This role drives innovation across pre-harvest and post-harvest systems to minimize losses, mitigate disease pressure, and optimize storage and distribution processesPay Range: $130,000 - $150,000 and may include a discretionary bonus. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.## Job Description**What our *Senior Plant Pathologist*will do:****Strategic Leadership*** Develop and execute a multi-year scientific strategy to extend the fresh fruit season across priority commodities.* Lead disease management and postharvest preservation initiatives aligned with commercial and operational goals.* Identify emerging risks (pathogens, resistance, climate-related stressors) and proactively develop mitigation plans.* Serve as the technical authority on plant pathology and postharvest disease management.**Research & Innovation*** Design and oversee experimental programs focused on: + Pre-harvest disease control strategies + Postharvest decay prevention + Storage optimization (CA, MAP, cold chain integrity) + Shelf-life extension technologies* Evaluate biological, chemical, and physical interventions to improve fruit quality retention.* Analyze complex datasets and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.* Drive innovation through new technologies, predictive modeling, and applied research.**Cross-Functional Collaboration*** Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to implement scalable solutions.* Support Planning decisions based on disease risk and storage performance.* Provide technical guidance to growers, such as special pick techniques to improve storage life, and production partners.* Collaborate with external research institutions and industry organizations.* Evaluate and advise third-party onsite partners and Outside Storage sites on the best practices for disease prevention**Operational Impact*** Reduce postharvest losses and shrinkage.* Improve storage performance and distribution resilience.* Extend commercial availability windows.* Enhance product quality consistency across regions and seasons.**Regulatory & Compliance*** Ensure compliance with relevant agricultural, environmental, and food safety regulations.* Support registration and validation of disease control technologies where applicable.* Maintain documentation and scientific rigor aligned with industry standards.## Qualifications**Skills & experience that are necessary as our** ***Senior Plant Pathologist*will include, but not limited to:*** Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Postharvest Biology, Horticulture, or related field (preferred)* 8+ years of progressive experience in plant pathology, postharvest science, or fresh produce R&D* Proven track record of applied research impacting commercial outcomes* Experience working with fresh fruit commodities and storage systems* Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments* Plant disease epidemiology and diagnostics* Postharvest pathology and decay management* Controlled atmosphere storage and cold chain systems* Experimental design and statistical analysis* Knowledge of regulatory frameworks affecting crop protection and postharvest treatmentsPOM Wonderful is the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States as well as the worldwide leader in fresh California pomegranates and pomegranate-based products, including our 100% pomegranate juices, healthy juice blends and teas. With nearly two million pomegranate trees in Central California, we grow, handpick and juice our own pomegranates to ensure the highest quality. Sold throughout the world and in the vast majority of North American retailers, our selection of products includes pomegranate-based juices and teas, fresh fruit when in season, and fresh arils.POM Wonderful is part of The Wonderful Company, a successful, fast-growing privately held $6 billion company with 10,000 employees worldwide. The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. The company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $1 billion invested in environmental sustainability; $65 million in charitable giving, education initiatives, and innovative health and wellness programs each year; and $143 million toward the construction of two charter school campuses in California’s Central Valley. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit csr.wonderful.com.We’ve made Wonderful(R) Pistachios America’s fastest-growing snack brand. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful(R) into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful Halos is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI(R) Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in America. JUSTIN(R) Wine produces California’s top-selling, high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. And Teleflora(R) is the world’s leading floral delivery service. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and its core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.The Wonderful Company is an Equality Opportunity Employer that provides opportunities for advancement. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that embodies a deep culture of acceptance, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.EEO is the law -* **Career Advancement Opportunities:** Unlock your potential with clear paths for career progression and internal mobility across our diverse family of brands and business units.* **Focused Learning and Development:** Grow as a leader with our dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department, offering extensive resources like People Manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.* **Empowering Mentorship Program:** Connect with colleagues through our company-wide mentorship program to share goals, overcome challenges, and drive your career forward.* **Continuous Improvement Training:** Participate in training that empowers all employees to learn and implement concepts that drive significant, positive change in the workplace.* **Building a Healthy Society:**To date, our co-Founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across California’s Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. In 2025, Wonderful ranked as #1 in PEOPLE’s “100 Companies That Care” list and was named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our corporate social responsibility efforts, visit .* **Giving Back to the Community:** Make a difference with , allowing you to allocate company-provided funds to up to three charities of your choice, and join Wonderful Neighbor to contribute