Packaging Specialist

About the role

As a core member of the Packaging Engineering team, the Packaging Specialist collaborates cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Development, Purchasing, Specifications, Operations, Regulatory, and Quality to bring new products to market and support renovations of existing items. A key part of this role includes ownership and maintenance of packaging component specifications to ensure accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support packaging development and execution for new product launches, renovations, and continuous improvement initiatives across primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging formats.
• Assist with testing, evaluating, documenting, and validating packaging materials, structures, print methods, line trials, and supplier-recommended formats.
• Translate brand, product, operational, regulatory, and quality requirements into practical, compliant, and production-ready packaging solutions.
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Development, Purchasing, Operations, Manufacturing, Specifications, Regulatory, Quality, and suppliers to advance projects efficiently.
• Create, update, maintain, and control packaging component specifications, ensuring data accuracy, documentation integrity, version control, and portfolio-wide compliance.
• Participate in artwork reviews, design evaluations, supplier discussions, packaging optimization, cost savings efforts, and sustainability-related opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of packaging materials, industry trends, innovations, manufacturing considerations, and perform other packaging-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in packaging development, purchasing packaging, or CPG manufacturing; OR degree in Packaging, Packaging Science, or related field.
• Familiarity with packaging terminology, materials, and structures (rigid plastics, flexible films, corrugate, folding cartons, etc.).
• Basic understanding of packaging printing processes and artwork workflows.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Highly collaborative, both with internal teams and suppliers/vendors.
• Team oriented, strives for engaging team members to achieve results.
• Comfort working in a manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with specification systems is a plus.

Current employees: this position is referral bonus eligible.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental & vision coverage
• Pay for performance incentives
• Employee & Family assistance programs
• Wellness programs
• Retirement planning
• Supplemental parental leaves
• Disability support
• Family-friendly flexible policies & summer hours
• Volunteer hours
• Learning and mentorship opportunities
• Safety-focused work environment

About High Liner Foods

Founded in 1899 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, High Liner Foods has grown from a small salt fish company into a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. Our trusted brands — including High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine, C.Wirthy & Co, Mrs. Paul’s, Van de Kamp’s, and Icelandic Seafood — are enjoyed by families, restaurants, and institutions across Canada and the United States.

Guided by our purpose of Reimagining Seafood to Nourish Life, we combine over a century of expertise with innovation, consumer insight, and responsible practices to deliver high-quality seafood people can trust. At High Liner Foods, we are a people-first organization. We invest in our employees through development opportunities, collaborative teamwork, and a culture where safety, well-being, and growth are priorities. Whether in our offices, plants, or distribution teams, our people work together to deliver excellence and drive the future of seafood.

Values

• Serve with Purpose – We put our customers and consumers at the heart of everything we do, creating quality products that help to nourish lives and foster connections that go beyond the plate.
• Do the Right Thing – We lead with integrity, act responsibly, and make choices that support our people, our partners, and our planet.
• Innovate & Reimagine – We challenge the norm, embrace fresh ideas, and turn innovation into impact.
• All Hands on Deck – Powered by people and driven by purpose, we lead with courage, hold one another accountable, and celebrate as a team.