FSQ Specialist

Location: St. Davids

About Sun Opta
Sun Opta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and food service providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, Sun Opta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, food service, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary
The FSQ Specialist is responsible for managing and organizing the Quality Assurance department documentation, including related data in Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft Excel/Word, Inter Spec, Intelex, and Oracle. Additionally, this position collaborates with suppliers, co-packers, and customers to ensure that the most current and accurate information is available for the FSQ Manager. The FSQ Specialist works in concert with the FSQ Manager to help with QA related issues such as customer complaints, internal quality issues and special projects as directed.

The FSQ Specialist is responsible for ensuring all products meet quality and food safety standards. This role involves managing quality control processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions Of The Job

Responsible for all data entry related to FSQ processes

Complete new product set‑up documents/Specifications

Upload customer compliance documents to respective data portals

Lead the site sensory program

Review and approve food safety and quality documentation (including COA data) for completeness

Drive improvement to streamline and implement effective data entry and information management processes within the food safety team as well as the overall Quality team

Manage all product sample shipments / R&D sample requests to customers as well as 3rd party labs for testing for internal/external requirements

Compile and report food safety and quality monthly KPI’s to Corporate QA and FSQ Manager

Manage HOLD Program to ensure compliance with Sun Opta’s Control of Non-Conforming Policy

Assist in management and collection of documents for certifications (organic, Kosher, etc.)

Provide oversight and compliance with Incoming Material COA requirements. Escalate and utilize the supplier non‑conforming database (Intelex) to communicate non-conformances

Work with FSQ Manager to resolve specific food safety or product quality issues with suppliers and co-packers through product retrieval and shipping support

Takes on advanced roles and responsibilities including special projects as assigned

Investigate and resolve any quality issues or customer complaints, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions

Provide training to production staff on quality control procedures and food safety standards

Provide training and support to FSQ team to ensure high performance and adherence to quality standards

Liaise with the FSQ Manager on internal audits of critical food safety/quality activities in the facility

The backup for this role is the FSQ Technician Level III and the FSQ Manager

All other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

May directly manage elements of the Quality team at the discretion of the site FSQ Manager and Plant Director

Key role is as the plant quality data collection and integration resource for the site

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree in a scientific field and previous experience in Manufacturing

Minimum of 3‑5 progressive years of experience in quality assurance within the food manufacturing industry

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field

Experience in a manufacturing environment

In‑depth understanding of food safety regulations, quality control procedures, and HACCP principles

Certifications such as Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), HACCP, or SQF Practitioner are preferred

Knowledge And Skills

Comfortable with data maintenance activities and repetitive data entry

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

Sound administrative and computer skills

Analytical thinking and the ability to articulate verbally and written to all levels of management are essential

Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills

Self‑directed, assertive, and results‑driven

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Outstanding verbal, written, multi‑tasking and presentation skills

Additional Considerations

This role is located at the St. Davids, Ontario

Remote working arrangements will not be considered

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED

#J-18808-Ljbffr