Regional FSQ Manager

SunOpta Inc.; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Paid Family leave

Paid maternity leave

401(k) with Match

Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Ill

Paid Holidays

Tuition assistance

Short-term and Long-term Disability

Job summary

SunOpta is seeking a Regional FSQ Manager for the SunOpta Corporate team based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. You will lead and develop FSQ and Sanitation personnel across the manufacturing network to meet regulatory, customer, and GFSI requirements.

The role emphasizes coaching, oversight of Food Safety Plans, HACCP, environmental monitoring, and continuous improvement, while collaborating with Corporate FSQ, regulators, and customers to ensure sustained compliance and high product quality.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop FSQ and Sanitation Managers across multiple sites.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, regulatory, customer, and GFSI requirements.
• Provide technical expertise on FSQ programs and continuous improvement.
• Oversee HACCP, GMPs, environmental monitoring, and product quality issues.
• Mentor FSQ staff and coordinate with Corporate FSQ and external/reg regulatory agencies.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

FSMA requirements

GMPs

HACCP/Food Safety Plans

Environmental Monitoring

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership/mentoring

Process improvement

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science/Technology, or related field

Tools

Oracle

Microsoft Office

Job description

Eden Prairie Office, 7078 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States of America

Job Description

About SunOpta

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.

Job Summary

SunOpta is seeking a Regional FSQ Manager for the SunOpta Corporate team.

The Regional FSQ Manager is responsible for managing, developing, and ensuring the plant FSQ and Sanitation Managers are equipped to meet/exceed all regulatory and Food Safety and Quality requirements, customer expectations, and compliance with all GFSI standards.

The position will actively manage and mentor FSQ personnel in the SunOpta Manufacturing network and will support initiatives to improve plant performance against SunOpta food safety and quality measures resulting in reduced non-conforming product/customer complaints, be a member of the Manufacturing FSQ leadership team, and act as a primary liaison with Corporate FSQ, customers, and external regulatory agencies.

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.
• Leads plant FSQ/Sanitation teams in the development, execution and tracking of corrective action plans that drive improved compliance, continuous improvement, and increased performance efficiencies.
• Oversee evaluation, investigation, and resolution of customer/consumer product quality issues and reporting to Corporate FSQ team and Business teams as needed.
• 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.

Additional Considerations

• Travel Expectation: 50-70%, flexibility to travel on short notice.
• Location: This role will be based at the SunOpta Corporate office facility in Eden Prairie, MN.
• Work Environment: Approximately 60% of work is performed in an office environment; 40% of work involves being in manufacturing / production environment.

Featured Benefits

• Medical 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