Post Harvest Technical Advisor

Post-Harvest Technical Advisor- Exeter, California

Fruit Growers Supply

Full-Time | $70,000.00 To $86,000.00 Annually Excellent Benefits

For more than 118 years, Fruit Growers Supply (FGS) have been industry leaders in postharvest agricultural innovation. We proudly support more than 40 packing facilities across California, producing the highest-quality non-morpholine, carnauba-based coatings and delivering cutting-edge postharvest technologies that keep fruit fresh, safe, and market-ready.

We are seeking a knowledgeable, science-driven Post-Harvest Technical Advisor to join our Technical Services team. If you’re passionate about fruit physiology, food safety, and helping packinghouses optimize quality and reduce loss, we want to meet you.

About the Role

This role is responsible for leading, evaluating, and optimizing daily postharvest operations related to decay control, chemical and wax applications, and treatment compliance. You will partner closely with packinghouse teams, troubleshoot wax and fungicide applications, assess fruit condition, and ensure postharvest treatments meet industry, safety, and regulatory standards. A successful specialist in this role improves product quality, extends shelf life, minimizes waste, and strengthens our customer partnerships.

What You’ll Do

Customer Facility Evaluations

• Conduct routine visits to packing facilities following a scheduled route.
• Assess fruit condition, decay levels, sanitation practices, and application equipment.
• Identify improvement opportunities and collaborate with Sales Managers and customers to reduce postharvest losses.

Chemical & Wax Application Monitoring

• Monitor and verify wax and chemical application rates during packinghouse operations.
• Report discrepancies and coordinate system adjustments with Service Technicians.
• Collect fruit and liquid samples for fungicide residue analysis; ensure compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
• Conduct field titrations and monitor fungicide concentrations in aqueous solutions.

Fungicide Resistance Surveillance

• Collect airborne spore samples within packinghouses.
• Analyze resistance data to guide appropriate postharvest decay-control strategies.

Technical Support & Research

• Assist in research trials and efficacy testing of new and existing decay-control materials.
• Prepare titration solutions, regulatory maturity test materials (CDFA), and dye injury tests.
• Support lab, office, and packinghouse-based technical programs.
• Participate in annual pesticide handling training sessions.

Comprehensive Decay Management

• Evaluate, prevent, and control all forms of fruit decay across customer operations.
• Monitor fungicide use, storage conditions, handling practices, and sanitation standards.
• Recommend improvements based on scientific research and postharvest best practices.

Safety & Compliance

• Complete all required safety training.
• Promote and support safe work practices across all operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and industry regulations related to postharvest chemical use.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience interpreting scientific publications on decay control, fruit quality, and chemical treatments.
• 2 years in the postharvest industry (fruit handling, applied research, or related field).
• Bachelor’s degree in: Food Safety, Chemistry, Food Science & Technology, Plant Science, Microbiology, or closely related field.

Required:

• California Pest Control Adviser (PCA) License w/ Category “B” Certificate
• QAL License w/ Category “G” Certificate
• Valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of fruit physiology, cold storage, degreening, and citrus postharvest handling.
• Understanding of U.S. Food Safety Regulations and fungicide resistance management.
• Familiarity with lab environments, safety procedures, and sampling protocols.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.

Who Thrives in This Role

The ideal candidate is:

• Scientifically minded with a strong biological or agricultural orientation
• Detail-driven and passionate about fruit quality and postharvest innovation
• A clear communicator who builds trust with customers
• Curious, analytical, and committed to continuous improvement
• Comfortable in labs, packinghouses, and field environments

Why Join Fruit Growers Supply?

Our legacy was built for growers, by growers—and our people remain the heart of our success. We offer stability, strong leadership, and opportunities to grow in a highly specialized technical field.

We provide:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability insurance
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Internal and external training programs
• Educational assistance
• An open internal job posting system
• A supportive, collaborative environment built on trust, respect, and innovation

Be Part of a Century-Long Legacy of Quality & Innovation

If you’re ready to contribute to the future of postharvest excellence—and work alongside a team dedicated to food safety, sustainability, and science—we invite you to apply.

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between Fruit Growers Supply and its employees.

Fruit Growers Supply is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, immigration status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. AAP/M/F/V/D