Associate Table Grape Breeder

LOCATION: WASCO, CALIFORNIA

Sun World International is a California-based agriculture and technology firm engaged in fruit variety development, technology, intellectual property, and licensing. Technology and IP pursuits include one of the world’s leading fruit breeding/genetics programs, a broad-based portfolio of plant patents and trademarks and investments in agriculture technology start-ups benefiting its global licensees. Licensing consists of sharing new proprietary stone fruit, table grape, and sub-tropical fruit varieties and the IP they comprise, with like-minded fruit growers and marketers in more than 17 countries around the world. The Company prizes creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Its people strive for excellence by demonstrating leadership, passion, kindness, authenticity, courage, initiative, and curiosity.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

At the heart of Sun World’s business is a commitment to developing new fruit varieties that can be grown in a sustainable way and optimized for yield, flavor, and appearance. The R&D and Product Development program focuses on fast-moving technology and developing the next generation of fruit genetics to meet grower challenges and consumer expectations. The program is located at the Sun World Center for Innovation in Wasco, California - in the heart of San Joaquin Valley agriculture production. At Sun World you are part of a team that values passion, respect, and leadership to envision and create the future.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Sun World seeks a dynamic breeder to leverage our industry leading pipeline and create the next generation of innovative products. The Associate Table Grape breeder is responsible for breeding, evaluation, and selecting new seedless table grape cultivars for production in various growing regions around the world as well as varieties adapted for production in California’s San Joaquin and Coachella Valleys. The position will report to the current Sun World Table Grape Breeder Lead to share methods and strategy, will work closely with Breeding and R&D teams to incorporate state-of-the art technologies to deliver the breeding pipeline, and will partner with our Licensing, and Marketing teams to deliver industry-leading varieties in an accelerated timeline.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Breeding Program Support & Germplasm Management

• Report to the Table Grape Breeder Lead and collaborate with the Breeding Director to accelerate the breeding program in California.
• Implement crossing plans, progeny selection, and evaluation of breeding trials across Central and Southern California, with support for global test plot evaluation.
• Obtain, propagate, and evaluate new grape varieties as parent material for breeding, maintaining genetic diversity in breeding blocks.
• Explore opportunities to introduce new or novel germplasm into the program to enhance breeding outcomes.

Data Management & Decision Support

• Maintain accurate digital records of plant/plot observations, crossing plans, culling decisions, and other related breeding data.
• Collect, track, and prepare plant patent data for timely submission to General IP Counsel.
• Prepare and analyze data to support early and late-stage advancement meetings, providing recommendations for cultivar progression.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Global Communication

• Collaborate with R&D, farming, and technical services teams to prioritize breeding targets and align breeding objectives with market needs.
• Coordinate budgets, research activities, and breeding needs with cross-functional teams to ensure program success.
• Work with licensing teams to design and communicate variety attributes and support the global deployment of new cultivars.
• Present Sun World's breeding pipeline to internal and external stakeholders, including at conferences, trade shows, and through visits with licensees.

Field Activities & Breeding Execution

• Support the Table Grape Breeder Lead in seedling selection, field characterization, and pre-selection of promising seedlings.
• Supervise local breeding interns and oversee seedling and research block activities.
• Coordinate with farm managers to ensure optimal field operations in breeding phase 2 blocks and assist with data collection for early-season Coachella trials.

Trait Discovery, Innovation, & Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify novel traits expressed in seedlings and parent pools, collaborating with the quantitative genetics lead on trait discovery research.
• Coordinate the implementation of advanced breeding technologies.
• Participate in breeding activities, including crosses and patent data collection, and support field days and stakeholder tours for licensees and retailers.

KEY LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES DESIRED

• Embodies core values of humility, respect, integrity, innovation, and collaboration.
• Has a growth mindset and a tolerance for a highly complex and dynamic work environment.
• Highly effective in follow-through.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including verbal, written, and non-verbal communication.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• PhD degree in plant breeding or similar field, or Master's degree with 4 years of plant breeding experience, or Bachelor's degree with 8 years of plant breeding experience.
• Excellent understanding of breeding strategy and methods for asexually propagated crops.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and able to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to foster innovation, influence, and collaborate with diverse, and global teams.
• Knowledge and passion for both molecular and traditional plant breeding and the ability to successfully merge cross-disciplinary approaches to create successful breeding pipelines.
• Experience with database management, Excel, statistical software, and analyses.
• Knowledge and experience in field trial design and analysis.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to be effective in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work in a field setting.
• Possess a technology and digital-first mindset.
• Relocation with the ability to work on-site 100% of the time.
• Available for domestic travel and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions.
• Ability to communicate and understand Spanish desirable

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position is regularly required to sit, use hands-to-finger, handle controls, and talk and hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stop. Employees must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus, as well as work with a computer monitor and in the field. This position requires performing tasks in outdoor environments with high temperatures, requiring the ability to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, and follow safety protocols.