Regional FSQ Manager

About the role

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Leads with integrity, respect, teamwork, and equity in all aspects of the job including dealing with employees, customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide proactive guidance to assure that adequate controls, programs, and organizational structure is in place to comply with all Food Safety, Regulatory, customer, and GFSI requirements.
• Standardize processes and procedures across manufacturing network and conduct internal audits and verification activities.
• Strong knowledge of building and maintaining Food Safety Plan/HACCP, GMP’s, Pest Prevention, Allergen Control, Environmental Monitoring Plan, Good Laboratory Practices, Traceability, Recall, as well as other food safety/quality programs as applicable.
• Oversee Environmental Monitoring Plan of designated sites and ensure appropriate activities occur; results are reported in a timely manner and direct any escalation and mitigation tasks as appropriate.
• Coach, mentor, and train FSQ/Sanitation teams to ensure individual goals are understood and that robust development plans are in place. Provide technical expertise to Manufacturing plant teams inclusive of regulatory, quality and food safety, and continuous process improvement.
• Stay current with all key regulatory and certifying agency guidelines. Ensure factories maintain all certifications needed to manage customer needs, e.g. SQF, Kosher, Halal, Organic, etc.
• Provide oversight for all product/equipment/line commercialization including updates to Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Lead plant FSQ/Sanitation teams in the development, execution and tracking of corrective action plans that drive improved compliance, continuous improvement, and increased performance efficiencies.
• Ensure all food safety and quality related information required for regulatory reviews and reporting is maintained by the plant.
• Escalate critical gaps to management and at times corporate partners.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly manage FSQ and Sanitation Managers of multiple sites within SunOpta Manufacturing network.
• Responsible for the overall support, coordination, and evaluation of all FSQ staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science/Technology, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 10 years in food safety system management, with at least 5 years in a people management role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aseptic manufacturing experience.
• Experience with Oracle.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Knowledge and Skills

• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Food Safety, i.e.: development and maintenance of Food Safety Plans/HACCP, FSMA requirements, GMP’s, sanitary design and controls, local/state/federal food regulations and food technology.
• Experience leading Design/Installation/Production Qualification (DQ/IQ/PQ) processes.
• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.