What are the responsibilities and job description for the Corporate Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist - Systems position at SunOpta?
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:
The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist - Systems supports the digital platforms that enable SunOpta's quality management system and contributes to data analysis that informs food safety and quality performance. The ideal candidate will have foundational knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, and data analytics, with the ability to translate data into meaningful insights that support continuous improvement.
Essential Functions of the Job:
- Help develop SOPs, work instructions, and training materials for QMS software.
- Support administration of QMS software by setting up users, making basic system updates, submitting support requests, and assisting with system upgrades.
- Assist in collecting, reviewing, and interpreting data to highlight trends. Manage day-to-day data entry while reviewing, maintaining, and ensuring the accuracy of information; provide support for training initiatives.
- Help build dashboards, visualizations, and reports in Power BI and/or the Quality Systems. Collaborate cross functionally with internal teams to resolve data discrepancies and support continuous process improvement.
- Support new and ongoing QMS projects in collaboration with FSQ leadership, software providers, and IT
- Cross train with the specifications team, following the established processes to ensure accurate, timely and complete specifications
- Follow company GMP's (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other food safety & quality processes.
- All other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Data Science or other related technical field
- Two to four years' experience in food manufacturing, food safety and quality, or related
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certification in PCQI, HACCP, or GFSI schemes (SQF Practitioner)
- Experience with specification and quality management systems (i.e. DevEx, TraceGains, Intelex, Oracle, PowerBi, Redzone, Monday.com, etc.) and data analytics tools (i.e. Power BI, Tableau, Excel, etc.).
- Strong attention to detail with solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong attention to detail with solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication skills and experience collaborating with cross functional teams or suppliers.
- Competency in data visualization and basic statistical analysis.
- Self-motivated, curious, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.
- Accurate and proficiency with data maintenance and data entry
- Familiarity with core FSQ practices: QMS systems, NCRs, CAPAs, root cause analysis, audits, workflows, specifications, and approvals.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
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
Additional Considerations:
- The role will be located at the SunOpta Headquarters Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
- Travel expectation: up to 5%
- Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
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
The Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Employer does not discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excusing any applicant's consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.