Senior FSQ Specialist - Supplier Quality

Job Summary:  The Senior FSQ Specialist – Supplier Quality, is the technical lead for supplier quality and risk management related to ingredients, packaging, and contract manufacturers. This 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. This position works closely with teams across the business to provide guidance on supplier quality, SQF requirements, and quality systems. The person in this role uses their technical knowledge and experience to identify and reduce supply chain risks while supporting new products, suppliers, and business growth.   Essential Functions of the Job: Lead risk-based technical reviews, assessments, and approval recommendations for suppliers, ingredients, packaging materials, and external manufacturing partners, including periodic re-assessments and mitigation activities. Partner cross-functionally 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 (on-site, virtual, and desk-based), communicate findings, and verify effectiveness of corrective actions. Serve as the subject matter expert for supplier quality programs, foreign supplier verification (FSVP), and supply chain preventive controls, ensuring compliance with GFSI schemes such as SQF Edition 10, FSMA, customer requirements, and applicable food safety regulations. Create, review, approve, maintain, and continuously improve raw material, ingredient, and packaging specifications within specification management systems, ensuring requirements are accurate, complete, and aligned with business, regulatory, and customer expectations. Partner with R&D, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing Quality, and suppliers to evaluate technical documentation, manage specification updates, resolve specification gaps, and ensure approved requirements are effectively documented and maintained throughout the product lifecycle. Drive continuous improvement of supplier quality systems, processes, tools, risk assessment methodologies, databases, and document management programs. Follow company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes. All other duties as assigned.   Supervisory Responsibilities:  None   Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or other related technical field 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.   Preferred Qualifications:  PCQI certification FSVP certification Experience with GFSI-recognized certification programs (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000) Experience with specification and quality management systems (i.e. DevEx, TraceGains, Intelex, FoodLogiQ, Oracle, etc.)   Knowledge and Skills:  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. Proven 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   Additional Considerations:  30-40% travel to International and Domestic supplier manufacturing sites and SunOpta manufacturing sites The role will be located at the SunOpta Headquarter Office in Eden Prairie, MN Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.