Job Summary:

This position is responsible for developing and managing the plant quality assurance environments 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 quality measures resulting in reduced non-conforming product/customer complaints and leading/supporting continuous improvement activities. The position will actively manage and mentor Quality Assurance personnel, and act as the primary liaison with Corporate Quality, customers, and external regulatory agencies.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Demonstrate 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.
• Manage and coach quality team members to ensure individual goals are understood and that robust development plans are in place.
• Design, implement, and verify that adequate 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 departments around quality and food safety, continuous process improvement, and product development.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and appropriate programs for all product/equipment commercialization.
• Primary Plant contact for all regulatory agencies and customers.
• Lead and promote continuous improvement and sustainable processes by leveraging the SunOpta 360 Quality Pillar. Develop project charters and facilitate action plan identification.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Food Safety and Quality SOP's, Food Safety Plan/HACCP, GMP's, pest control, allergen control, Good Laboratory Practices, Traceability, Recall, as well as other food safety/quality programs as applicable.
• Accountable for disposition of HELD product, as well as compliance to the Control on Non-Conforming Program.
• 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.
• Use data to drive statistical process control (SPC) and process capability improvements.

• Manage and direct the staff responsible for microbiological and other quality control testing.
• Responsible for evaluation and resolution of customer/consumer product quality issues

• Ensure all quality related information required for regulatory reviews and reporting is maintained by the plant.
• Follow all Safety Programs and lead by example.

• All other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly manages employees in the QA department.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all QA staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science/Food Technology, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.

• Minimum of 3 years in a QA Manager role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of food safety, Food Safety Plans/HACCP, FSMA, GMP's, sanitary design and controls, food regulations and basic food technology.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Statistical Process Control practices are required.
• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and MS PowerPoint software, and be proficient with MS Excel software.
• Experience with Oracle is a plus.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Up to 10%
• Location: This role will be at the SunOpta Plant in Allentown, PA.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Approximately; 60% of work is performed in an office environment. 40% of work may involve being in the agricultural or manufacturing 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.