Senior FSQ Specialist - Supplier Quality

The Senior Supplier Quality Specialist 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.

In this senior individual-contributor role, you will serve as a technical lead and trusted partner to Procurement, R&D, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing Quality, and Commercial teams. You will influence supplier and sourcing decisions, support commercialization, and help improve the systems and risk-based processes that protect our products, customers, and consumers.

• Lead risk-based assessments of suppliers, ingredients, packaging materials, and external manufacturing partners including periodic re-assessments and mitigation activities.
• Make clear, documented recommendations regarding approval, risk mitigation, monitoring, and re-evaluation.
• 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 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 GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes.
• All other duties as assigned.

• None

• 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.

• PCQI certification
• FSVP certification
• Experience with GFSI-recognized certification programs (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000)
• Experience with specification and quality management systems (i.e. Dev Ex, Trace Gains, Intelex, FoodLogiQ, Oracle, etc.)

• 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

• 30-40% travel to International and Domestic supplier manufacturing sites and Sun Opta manufacturing sites.
• The role will be located at the Sun Opta Headquarter Office in Eden Prairie, MN on a hybrid schedule.
• Relocation or remote working arrangements will not be considered.