About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
SunOpta Overview:
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food. With roots tracing back over 50 years, SunOpta drives growth for today’s leading brands by serving as a trusted innovation partner and value-added manufacturer, crafting organic, plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, nutritional beverages, broths and tea products sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Alongside the company’s commitment to top brands, retailers and coffee shops, SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, and West Life™. For more information, visit SunOpta and LinkedIn.
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 is responsible for providing supervision and direction to all production staff on their designated shift.
Essential Functions of the Job:
• Lead and supervise production team members to meet daily production goals while ensuring adherence to established manufacturing procedures and standards.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment through effective communication with employees, peers, and management.
• Achieve shift performance targets for raw material yields, labor efficiency, and packaging material usage.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct shift meetings to align team objectives and communicate key updates.
• Conduct regular workstation audits to ensure compliance with SOPs and consistent execution of processes.
• Partner with Warehouse and Quality Assurance teams to support timely and accurate product shipments.
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation of all production data and shift reports.
• Maintain high standards of GMP and housekeeping through team involvement and accountability.
• Oversee and facilitate the training and development of new and existing employees.
• Drive productivity, safety, and quality improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and cost performance.
• Manage team workflow, set clear goals, communicate expectations, and monitor performance—escalating disciplinary matters as needed to the Production Manager and Human Resources.
• Promote and sustain a culture of continuous improvement that supports the company’s Quality Policy, Quality System, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Communicate and execute the production schedule in alignment with operational goals.
• Protect company assets by addressing and correcting improper use or maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Collaborate with management to ensure effective organizational structure, clear role definitions, and communication of responsibilities.
• Complete batch processing and reporting in Oracle accurately and on time.
• Ensure proper use of PPE and promote compliance with all safety, OHSA, JHSC, GMP, and HACCP requirements.
• Adhere to all SunOpta Quality and Food Safety standards, including HACCP, GMPs, Organic, GFCO, SQF, Kosher, and customer-specific requirements.
• Support and uphold the company’s Food Safety guidelines.
• Serve as backup support for other Production Supervisors or the Production Manager as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• This position directly oversees hourly production employees on the assigned shift.
• The role follows a 12-hour rotating schedule: two weeks on days and two weeks on nights.
• Weekend coverage is required as part of a 24/6 operation.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Certificate and/or bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Food Science, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Business) preferred.
• Equivalent experience in a manufacturing environment, along with proven capability and leadership skills, will also be considered.
• Minimum of three consecutive years of relevant supervisory or leadership experience in a food manufacturing or similar production environment required.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, and food safety standards.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced setting.
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of manufacturing. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices is beneficial. Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills. Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs.
Additional Considerations:
• This position will be based at our St. Davids, Ontario, Canada facility.
• Travel requirements are less than 5%
• Remote working arrangements will not be considered
• Paid Time Off
• Health and Dental Benefits
• RRSP Matching Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company issued cell phone
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Approximately 10% of work is done in an office environment; 90% of work involves being in the 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.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
