What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Grape Breeder position at Sun World International?
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
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Global Communication
Field Activities & Breeding Execution
Trait Discovery, Innovation, & Stakeholder Engagement
KEY LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES DESIRED
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
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.
