Regulatory and Labeling Specialist, SunOpta

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:

The Regulatory & Labeling Specialist is responsible for assuring compliance of federally regulated product label information, including nutrition, ingredient declarations, allergens, and claims.This role also addresses regulatory issues pertaining to food labeling and claims (e.g., organic, non-GMO, gluten-free etc.).The Regulatory & Labeling Specialist manages several projects at once while working with all functions (Quality, R&D, Legal, Marketing, Operations, Sales) and communicates on labeling related and compliance matters for SunOpta.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Provide food labelling expertise and collaborate with Quality, R&D, Legal, Marketing, Operations, and Sales to leverage regulations and give SunOpta a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Communicate cross functionally regarding current and emerging food labelling issues and opportunities. Ensure compliance with current and evolving regulations.
• Monitor and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations, food labelling regulatory activity, and relevant technical product and processing information.
• Assess business opportunities and impact to brands.
• Guide the product development process (new and reformulated products) to ensure regulatory and business requirements are met i.e., nutrition goals/claims, ingredient guidelines, product name/standard of identity.
• Evaluate labelling impact of product reformulation to inform packaging transitions and product/package disposition decisions.
• Review Nutrition Facts Panels and ingredient declarations for all products.
• Develop and maintain accurate food labelling information for finished products (e.g., allergens, nutrition, ingredient statements, product name, claims) to assure compliance with regulations (FDA, USDA, CFIA, EU), third-party certification standards and company policies.
• Substantiate and align product claims for compliance and ensure documentation in place.
• Review and approve packaging, advertising, and communication materials for regulatory compliance.
• Complete and submit documentation to support regulatory requirements and claims (USDA, state regulatory requirements, 3rd party certifications).
• Manage/modify the system and process to review, maintain and archive labels and all supporting documentation.
• Provide input into risk management decisions, balancing regulatory risk with business and operational needs.
• Evaluate formulation and producing location impacts to assure accurate allergen labelling and customer/consumer alerts.
• Effectively problem-solve and leverage regulatory relationships and tools to minimize the impact of sourcing and production challenges.
• Develop and inform communication for consumer and customer inquiries pertaining to labelling.
• Collaborate with product developers to evaluate supplier data for new or novel ingredients
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field.
• Minimum 2-5 years’ experience in food labelling and/or regulatory compliance required.
• Demonstrated proficiency to interpret U.S. food regulations and ability to navigate international labelling regulations required.
• Foundational knowledge in food regulations, nutrient composition, and nutrition.
• Knowledge of food composition as it relates to food labelling.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food labelling law certificate and/or certification issued by an accredited university.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Detail oriented, accurate and excellent record keeping skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, good judgment, decisive, comfortable working with a team.
• Evidence of strong problem solving & critical thinking skills.
• Comfortable with ambiguity.
• Ability to handle complexity, multiple projects and requests, and short timelines.
• Strong drive for results and ability to bring projects to completion.
• Strong system acumen and computer skills.
• Comfortable with labelling databases, computer software and systems.
• Ability to exercise judgment in handling confidential proprietary/information.
• Understanding of product commercialization process from product design to commercialization.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectations: Travel is required to various SunOpta locations for meetings and/or other job-related functions.
• This role will be located at the SunOpta Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
• Approximately 95% of work is performed in an office environment; 5% of work may involve being in an agriculture or manufacturing environment.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

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.

To Apply: 

https://globalus61e2.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/sunopta/Posting/View/1732