FSQ Specialist - Governance

Job Summary:

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist - Governance will oversee and ensure the alignment of food safety and quality practices with internal policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Specifically, the Governance Specialist will ensure readiness for annual internal and external audits for our seven manufacturing sites and corporate HQ location. Additionally, the Governance Specialist will be responsible for developing, maintaining and administering the Corporate Food Safety and Quality training plan. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food safety management, quality systems, governance frameworks, and a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape within the food industry.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Develop an annual master calendar to ensure readiness for annual internal and external audits for seven manufacturing facilities and corporate HQ (pilot plant, R&D facility)
• Develop a training plan and calendar for employees and stakeholders on food safety, quality governance, and regulatory compliance
• Facilitate FSQ best practice sharing across the manufacturing network in partnership with Continuous Improvement team and Project Management Office (PMO)
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust food safety and quality governance framework that ensures compliance with relevant local, national, and international regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, EFSA, ISO 22000, BRC, SQF).
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of food safety and quality policies, procedures, and guidelines to promote best practices.

• Ensure policies and procedures are well-documented, clearly communicated, and regularly updated to reflect changes in regulatory or industry standards
• Periodically verify internal practices, systems, and processes to ensure adherence to SunOpta's governance standards
• Lead the planning and execution of SunOpta's annual food safety leadership summit
• Maintain facility regulatory registrations
• Administer the company's food safety culture survey
• Administer SunOpta's Food Safety & Quality SharePoint site
• Adhere to company GMP's (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes
• All other duties, as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Safety, Quality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or governance roles within the food industry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Manufacturing environment experience preferred.
• PCQI certification.
• SQF certification.
• Prior experience auditing food manufacturing facilities.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of global food safety regulations, quality systems, and standards (e.g., FDA, HACCP, ISO 22000, BRC, SQF).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information to all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated history of effective collaboration with cross-functional partners.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying inefficiencies and areas for continuous improvement within processes, systems, policies, or workflows.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and quality management software (Intelex, DevEx, TraceGains, FoodLogiQ).
• Self-directed, results-driven, and possesses the maturity commensurate with being an effective specialist.
• Must be intellectually curious with an interest and drive to understand root causes.

Additional Considerations:

• This position will be at SunOpta's Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
• Travel Expectation: Up to 20% to manufacturing sites.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

Approximately 90% of the work is performed in an office environment;10% of work may involve being in the manufacturing environment.

Featured benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED