Senior FSQ Specialist - Supplier Quality
About The Position
The Senior Supplier Quality Specialist is the technical lead for supplier quality and risk management related to ingredients, packaging, and contract manufacturers. The role evaluates supplier food safety and quality programs, conducts supplier and ingredient risk assessments, supports supplier approval activities, and helps maintain and improve supplier quality processes. In this senior individual-contributor role, the specialist serves as a technical lead and trusted partner to Procurement, R&D, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing Quality, and Commercial teams. The role influences supplier and sourcing decisions, supports commercialization, and improves systems and risk-based processes that protect products, customers, and consumers. The position is based at SunOpta’s headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on a hybrid schedule. It requires 30–40% travel to international and domestic supplier manufacturing sites and SunOpta manufacturing sites. Relocation and remote-work arrangements will not be considered. There are no supervisory responsibilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or another related technical field.
- At least 5 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, or related food industry disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience conducting supplier and ingredient risk assessments.
- Strong understanding of food safety regulations and preventive control programs.
- Advanced knowledge of supplier quality systems and risk-based supplier management.
- Strong understanding of SQF supplier approval and monitoring requirements.
- Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to independently assess risk and make sound technical recommendations.
- Strong communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
- Strong project management and organizational capabilities.
- Detail-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-directed, intellectually curious, and results-driven.
- Ability to travel 30–40% to international and domestic supplier manufacturing sites and SunOpta manufacturing sites.
Nice To Haves
- PCQI certification.
- FSVP certification.
- Experience with GFSI-recognized certification programs such as SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000.
- Experience with specification and quality management systems such as DevEx, TraceGains, Intelex, FoodLogiQ, or Oracle.
Responsibilities
- Lead risk-based assessments of suppliers, ingredients, packaging materials, and external manufacturing partners, including periodic reassessments and mitigation activities.
- Make documented recommendations regarding supplier approval, risk mitigation, monitoring, and reevaluation.
- Partner with Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, Operations, Manufacturing Quality, and Commercial teams to support sourcing decisions, commercialization projects, and supply-chain risk management.
- Influence business decisions through technical expertise, risk evaluations, and data-driven recommendations related to supplier quality and food safety.
- Conduct supplier audits as needed, including on-site, virtual, and desk-based audits; communicate findings and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.
- Serve as a technical resource for FSVP, supply-chain preventive controls, supplier approval, and applicable GFSI requirements.
- Develop, review, approve, and maintain ingredient and packaging specifications.
- Work with suppliers and internal partners to resolve specification gaps and ensure requirements are practical, accurate, and complete.
- Drive continuous improvement of supplier quality systems, processes, and tools.
- Help develop consistent, scalable processes that support business growth and changing regulatory or customer expectations.
- Follow company GMPs, safety procedures, and other quality processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
