FSQ Manager

Job Summary:

SunOpta is seeking a Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Manager for the SunOpta Fruit Snack manufacturing facility, located in Omak, WA.

The FSQ Manager is responsible for developing and managing the plant food safety and quality programs to meet/exceed all regulatory and Food Safety/Quality requirements, customer expectations, and compliance to all GFSI standards.

This position will provide leadership to develop initiatives to improve plant performance against SunOpta FSQ measures resulting in reduced non-conforming product/customer complaints as well as leading/supporting continuous improvement activities. The position will actively manage/mentor FSQ personnel, be a member of the plant leadership team, and act as the primary liaison with auditors, 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.
• Primary Plant contact for auditors, customers, and regulatory agencies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Food Safety and Quality SOP’s, 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.
• Develop Environmental Monitoring Plan and ensure appropriate activities occur, results are reported in a timely manner and direct any escalation tasks as appropriate.
• Manage and coach FSQ team members to ensure individual goals are understood and that robust development plans are in place. 
  • Ensure FSQ Supervisor is adequately trained, developed, and equipped to execute essential duties as well as implement and verify analytical testing and procedures are executed to provide statistically significant results for the safe manufacture of products.
  • Ensure that a robust training program is implemented to include GFSI requirements, Food Safety, and SunOpta Quality Programs.
• Provide technical expertise to all site departments inclusive of regulatory, quality and food safety, continuous process improvement, and product development.
• Provide oversight for all product/equipment/line commercialization including updates to Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Accountable for compliance to the Control on Non-Conforming Program as well as timely disposition of HELD product.
• Coordinate resolution of all quality management issues; this includes reporting on KPI's, corrective action plans, analytical/microbiological issues, and held inventory disposition.
• Provide subject matter expertise in corrective/corrective action (CAPA) and Preventive Action activities.

• Responsible for evaluation and resolution of customer/consumer product quality issues and reporting to Corporate QA team.
• Ensure all FSQ related information required for regulatory reviews and reporting is maintained by the plant.

• All other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly manages employees in the FSQ department including but not limited to: FSQ Supervisors, QC technicians, Sanitation Supervisor.
• Responsible for the overall support, coordination, and evaluation of all FSQ staff.
• Lead/participate on-site Food Safety and Food Defense team
• Serve as SQF Practitioner and identify/train backup practitioner

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science/Technology, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 3 years in a FSQ leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial
• Experience with Oracle
• HACCP certified training
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• FSPCA/PCQI certified training
• FSPCA/IAVA certified training
• FSPCA/FDQI certified training

Knowledge and Skills:

• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Food Safety, i.e.: development/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.
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement and Statistical Process Control practices are required.
• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills. 
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.  

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Up to 10%
• Location: This role will be based at the SunOpta Fruit Snack manufacturing facility in Omak, Washington.
• Work Environment: Approximately 60% of work is performed in an office/laboratory environment; 40% of work involves being in manufacturing / production environment.

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.