Director, Agribusiness Supply Chain Program

Location: Monterey Bay

Priority Screening Date: January 5, 2026

Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

Appointment Date:  Fall 2026 

Summary

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), invites applications for the position of Professor of Practice and Founding Program Director for the Agribusiness Supply Chain Management (ASCM) program. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an experienced industry leader to help design, grow, and lead a unique program specializing in perishable supply chain management that lies at the intersection of business, agriculture, and sustainability – right in the heart of California’s Central Coast, one of the most vital agribusiness regions in the world.

Endowed by leading industry partners who recognize the urgent need for innovation and talent in the agribusiness supply chain with a particular focus on perishables, the ASCM Program is poised to become a signature offering within the College of Business portfolio and across California. The particular focus of this program provides the Founding Director with an opportunity to play a pivotal role in building a nationally distinctive and unique program that may serve as a resource across the industry, shaping the next generation of diverse and resilient leaders, and strengthening the agricultural economy of the region.

The Role of the Founding Program Director

The Program Director will be a Professor of Practice, a non-tenure-track faculty appointment designed for accomplished industry leaders. This role blends teaching, program leadership, and external engagement.

The Director will bring deep industry knowledge and connections — particularly in specialty crops, perishable supply chains, and agribusiness operations — and will serve as a bridge between industry and academia. By cultivating partnerships, mentoring students, and leading innovative programming, the Director will ensure that CSUMB’s ASCM graduates are among the most sought-after in the field.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Industry & Community Engagement

• Build and nurture partnerships with agribusiness firms, growers, distributors, logistics companies, and industry associations.
• Coordinate with University Advancement to secure internships, job opportunities, philanthropic support, and curriculum partnerships.
• Establish and lead an ASCM Advisory Council composed of industry leaders.
• Launch high-profile initiatives, including an Executive Speaker Series, thematic workshops, and high-visibility campus events.
• Develop a partner-level sponsorship program to deepen corporate engagement.

Student Success & Mentorship

• Mentor students and connect them with career opportunities through introductions, referrals, and internships.
• Serve as faculty advisor for the ASCM student club and competition teams.
• Inspire and support first-generation and underrepresented students, advancing CSUMB’s mission of social mobility.
• Recruit talented students into the ASCM program and ensure strong retention through mentorship and career development.

Program Development & Management

• Support day-to-day operations of the ASCM program, including faculty, students, alumni, and industry guests.
• Manage applied learning initiatives such as student-led research, consulting projects, and faculty fellowships with industry.
• Support faculty in integrating cutting-edge industry practices into the curriculum.
• Develop and manage accreditation responsibilities (AACSB Assurance of Learning, Strategic Planning, Societal Impact initiatives).
• Work closely with college and campus communications teams to enhance program visibility through media and outreach.

Teaching & Service

• Teach up to three courses (12 Weighted Teaching Units) per year in agribusiness-focused supply chain management, operations management, Enterprise resource management, Project management, agribusiness finance, agribusiness marketing, risk management, agribusiness trading and risk management, cold chain management, global supply chain management, food safety, product packaging, or related areas in alignment with expertise.
• Contribute to institutional and professional service in consultation with the Dean of the College of Business.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate degree required in an Agribusiness-focused Operations Management, Supply Chain-Operations Management, or closely related field.
• Significant executive-level experience in Agribusiness Supply Chain Management, Cold/Perishable supply chain, Operations Management, Transportation/Logistics, and/or Enterprise planning, or closely related field. 
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining industry partnerships. Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic and industry communities.
• Experience working in ethnically and culturally diverse environments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, with emphasis on the agribusiness industry or closely related field.
• 3 years of executive leadership experience in Agribusiness-related field.
• Experience managing budgets, personnel, facilities, or academic/research programs.
• Teaching experience at a community college or a university.
• Familiarity with AACSB accreditation and program assessment.
• Curriculum design and program development experience.
• Proven track record of building corporate relations programs and securing external support.
• Commitment to sustainability and innovation in agribusiness supply chain management.
• Bilingual ability, international or multicultural experience, effective interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, and knowledge of the local region.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to:

• Shape a new program that directly serves one of the most dynamic agribusiness regions in the world.
• Impact student lives by mentoring first-generation and diverse students into high-demand careers.
• Strengthen industry-academia collaboration at a university nationally recognized for social mobility.
• Hold a prestigious endowed position backed by leading agribusiness companies in the Monterey/San Benito/Santa Cruz tri-county area.

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with the energy, connections, and passion to make CSUMB’s ASCM program a model for sustainable, industry-engaged business education.

COMPENSATION:  

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $11,968 to $13,750 per month ($143,616 to 165,000 annually)

LEARN MORE: https://careers.csumb.edu/en-us/job/552859/professor-of-practice-agribusiness-supply-chain-management-program-director