Principal Scientist - Aseptic Eden Prairie Office, 7078 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States of America Req #1601 Tuesday, January 23, 2024 SunOpta Overview: SunOpta Inc. is a leader in the plant-based foods and beverages, fruit-based foods and beverages, and organic ingredient sourcing industries. SunOpta is focused on sustainability and specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, non-GMO food products. SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food! Job Summary: This position provides support and guidance for ensuring processing system compliance with 21CFR113/114/108/117, company policies, and best practices, with specialized focus on microbiology and risk mitigation. Responsibilities include establishing minimum system documentation and process control requirements among other key initiatives fulfilling Food Safety and Quality Excellence as part of the Thermal Process Group (TPG) at SunOpta, the internal Process Authority team. The successful candidate must be able to communicate well with internal and external partners, e.g., Tetra Pak, Eurofins, IEH, and SunOpta teams (Corporate/Plant Quality, R&D, Plant Operations, TPG). This position reports to the Senior Manager Compliance & Validation. Essential Functions of the Job: Demonstrate integrity, respect, teamwork, and equity in all aspects of the job including dealing with internal and external stakeholders, ensure the plant is running to target, and that all process critical factors are defined and enforced. Oversee microbiological studies and support thermal process validation for new and existing systems. Partner with project teams on writing user requirements, design requirements, and protocols. Provide leadership in food safety programs and standards to ensure that manufacturing processes and environments are microbiologically safe for producing both new and existing products. Provide leadership in good laboratory practices (GLP) and standards to ensure reliability of lab activities and sampling methods. Provide leadership to investigate deviations and deliver corrective actions in efforts to improve overall system performance. Support food safety and quality auditing initiatives to ensure aseptic facility compliance with the pertinent regulations. Provide recommendations regarding process design, continuous improvement, statistical process control, and regulatory compliance. Support Installation Qualification (IQ) / Operational Qualification (OQ) / Performance Qualification (PQ) activities. All other duties, as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: None; this is an Individual Contributor role. Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in microbiology / engineering / food science. Experience in aseptic low acid and acidified processing systems. 7-10 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment. Knowledge and Skills: Must possess a strong working knowledge of 21CFR113/114/108/117 requirements, sanitary design and controls, thermal process, and food technology. Must exhibit strong communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) as this role is key in informing the business team of the current state of FS&Q on new and established businesses while also ensuring the business team is informed, and has the necessary information, to make risk-based business decisions. Able to create momentum, influence cross-functional teams, and foster organizational change. Additional Considerations: Travel Expectation: 25-50% with occasional seasons of high travel to execute project work. Location: Remote, preferably near a major airport. Work Environment: Approximately 50-75% in the office environment and 25-50% in the manufacturing/production environment. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain 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. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED Other details Job Family Quality Assurance Job Function Non-manager Pay Type Salary Employment Indicator Regular Travel Required Yes Required Education Bachelor's Degree Eden Prairie Office, 7078 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States of America Share this job: The Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Employer does not discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excusing any applicant's consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.