Operations Leadership Program Jobs in California

From tree to table, POM Wonderful delivers a whole lot of healthy. 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 Wonderful Leadership Program is a full-time, two-year rotational program that offers recent university graduates the opportunity to expand their potential and become future leaders at POM Wonderful. Throughout each rotation, the Leader Trainee will launch and implement new projects that significantly drive business productivity and improve department processes. They will also be exposed to a broad range of tasks per the department needs, offering a cross-functional, company-wide experience that further develops critical leadership and technical skills. Department rotations within the Wonderful Leadership Program include Production, Quality Systems, Logistics, Grower Relations and Business Administration, with primary focus on learning the major aspects of the business.  Rotations will primarily take place at our Del Rey, CA facility, with a required on-site assignment at our Buttonwillow, CA facility for six months. This experience is designed to give associates a comprehensive understanding of our operational model and leadership culture.

Compensation- $71,000 Salary - which includes a bonus at the end of the Program. 

What our Wonderful Leadership Program- Leader Trainee will do:

Expand knowledge of overall business scope as it relates to:

• Production (Preprocessing, Packaging, Shipping)
  • Learn how to manage production workers
  • Manages standard work, within responsible zones to achieve production output and quality targets.
  • Preprocessing and fresh/arils fruit handling.
  • Beverage production and packaging 
• Business Administration (Human Resources, Logistics, Grower Relations, Quality Systems)
  • Collaborates with department management and personnel to identify, define, and document business needs and objectives
  • Cultivates management skills to lead small clerical or technical teams in their daily tasks and/or special projects

Other responsibilities include:

• Provide day-to-day direction of employees and ensures compliance with company policies; ensuring GMPs and safety requirements are met.
• Cultivate continuous improvement activities, manage 5S, and apply lean thinking into the day-to-day operations within all areas of responsibility.
• Participate in and lead problem solving activities with production teams, management, & fellow colleagues using the PDCA method.
• Actively promote a safe working environment in all areas of responsibility.
• Utilize teamwork and leadership skills to complete company projects and meet deadlines.

Skills & experience that are necessary as our Wonderful Leadership Program- Leader Trainee will include, but not limited to:

• Completion of degree from a 4-year college
• Some experience in food manufacturing, supply chain, or operational leadership
• Open to flexible schedules
• Problem solving skills and continuous improvement focus
• Proven written and verbal presentation skills with the ability to use data for storytelling
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to build relationships and interact effectively with all levels of employees and management
• Intermediate mathematical skills; knowledge of statistics is desirable
• Recognized efforts to complete multiple tasks independently and efficiently in a timely manner
• Demonstrated ability to actively contribute to their team in order to complete tasks and meet goals
• Ability to handle extremely confidential and sensitive information
• Proficient understanding of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.)
• Must be available to work in person in Buttonwillow, CA for up to 6 months

What We’re Looking For:

• A natural leader with a collaborative mindset
• Curious, proactive, and adaptable to change
• Capable of managing and motivating teams
• Comfortable working evenings/weekends during peak season (Sept–Dec)
• Committed to a long-term leadership path in food and beverage manufacturing

POM's Dedication to You:

• Thriving Wellness Community: 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. 
• Building a Healthy Society: To date, our co-Founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across California’s Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. In 2025, Wonderful ranked as #1 in PEOPLE’s “100 Companies That Care” list and was named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our corporate social responsibility efforts, visit csr.wonderful.com.
• Giving Back to the Community: 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. 

POM Wonderful is the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States as well as the worldwide leader in fresh California pomegranates and pomegranate-based products, including our 100% pomegranate juices, healthy juice blends and teas. With nearly two million pomegranate trees in Central California, we grow, handpick and juice our own pomegranates to ensure the highest quality. Sold throughout the world and in the vast majority of North American retailers, our selection of products includes pomegranate-based juices and teas, fresh fruit when in season, and fresh arils.

POM Wonderful is part of The Wonderful Company, a successful, fast-growing privately held $6 billion company with 10,000 employees worldwide. The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. The company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $1 billion invested in environmental sustainability; $65 million in charitable giving, education initiatives, and innovative health and wellness programs each year; and $143 million toward the construction of two charter school campuses in California’s Central Valley. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit csr.wonderful.com. 

We’ve made Wonderful® Pistachios America’s fastest-growing snack brand. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful® into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful Halos is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI® Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in America. JUSTIN® Wine produces California’s top-selling, high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. And Teleflora® is the world’s leading floral delivery service. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and its core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

The Wonderful Company is an Equality Opportunity Employer that provides opportunities for advancement. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that embodies a deep culture of acceptance, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.

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