Professor of Practice: Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Program Director

Job Description:

Professor of Practice: Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Program Director

Description

Classification: 12-Month Faculty
Priority Screening Date: January 5, 2026
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
Appointment Date: Fall 2026

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement , CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University , which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

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.

About the College of Business

The College of Business's mission is “to inspire the practice of Responsible Business, balancing profit, people, ethics, equity, and plan; we promote the success of our ethnically and economically diverse students by facilitating engaged learning involving real-world challenges, conducting practice-based relevant research, and collaborating with community partners.”

CSUMB is nationally recognized for its commitment to student social mobility - ranked #2 in the Western Region by U.S. News & World Report in both 2024 and 2025. CSUMB has a #7 regional ranking as a Top Public School for Regional Universities according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings. Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college, and we take great pride in preparing them for successful, meaningful careers.

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.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The incumbent is required to maintain confidentiality as outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

APPOINTMENT CATEGORY:

Lecturer Full-Time for 12-months (renewable upon application pending satisfactory yearly evaluation). The appointment process, term of appointment, and evaluation process shall follow the same policies and guidelines for lecturers established by the university and governed by the California Faculty Association (CFA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

COMPENSATION:

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

CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: Employee Benefits Summary . The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/ corporation/employee-housing

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application and submit required documents by the priority screening date found at csumb.edu/jobs . Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for non-tenure-track faculty positions.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or humanresources@csumb.edu.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State University, Monterey Bay Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://csumb.edu/security-report/

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Advertised: Nov 21 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: