Senior Plant Pathologist

The Wonderful Company•Del Rey, CA

8d•$130,000 - $150,000

About The Position

From 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 processes

Requirements

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 treatments

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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
Reduce postharvest losses and shrinkage.
Improve storage performance and distribution resilience.
Extend commercial availability windows.
Enhance product quality consistency across regions and seasons.
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.

Benefits

Access to top-notch medical coverage comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 401k with match eligibility to secure your financial future and including:
24/7 online physician consultations
virtual mental health resources
life coaching
engaging employee community groups
cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements
library of on-demand fitness videos
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.
Make a difference with Wonderful Giving, allowing you to allocate company-provided funds to up to three charities of your choice, and join Wonderful Neighbor to contribute to group service projects within our local communities.