Specification Specialist

Role overview

The Specification Specialist is responsible for supporting product specification creation and maintenance for High Liner Foods products sold in both the United States and Canada. The position works closely with teams across product development, manufacturing, marketing, quality assurance, production, and regulatory functions to ensure product data is accurate and current in the Global Spec Management (GSM) system as well as in customer-facing specification portals.

Key responsibilities

• Drive the process for creating, revising, and maintaining product specifications in the organization’s central specification platform.
• Handle specifications covering raw materials, ingredients, packaging, work-in-progress items, finished goods, and trade/sales specifications.
• Take ownership of assigned work and move projects forward with speed, concentration, and alignment to business priorities.
• Confirm that specifications meet internal procedures and applicable regulatory standards.
• Represent the specification function on new product development and optimization initiatives.
• Spot discrepancies, missing information, or concerns and raise them by coordinating reviews with Product Management or Product Owners.
• Share technical and specification details with internal teams and external partners when needed.
• Keep customer specification portals and databases updated with newly created or revised information.
• Support customer RFPs, specification requests, and technical questions by providing accurate, compliant, and timely responses.
• Coordinate several tasks and projects at once through to completion.
• Build broad knowledge of the specification process to provide backup coverage and support priority work when required.
• Assist with non-conformance reviews and crisis response activities as the specification system process owner.
• Recommend improvements to processes and procedures and help put better practices into place.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Science, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in quality assurance, regulatory work, consumer packaged goods, specification management, database administration, or a similar role.
• Strong organizational ability, teamwork skills, critical thinking, and a sharp eye for detail and accuracy.
• A proactive, positive approach and a strong sense of urgency.
• Comfort working in a changing environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical and regulatory topics in clear, simple language.
• Hands-on experience with MS Office tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Genesis and PLM software.
• A customer-first mindset and the ability to keep customer needs central to decisions.
• Collaborative style with an interest in working closely with peers and stakeholders.

Perks and benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Employee and family assistance programs.
• Wellness programs.
• Retirement planning support.
• Supplemental parental leave.
• Disability support.
• Volunteer hours.
• Learning and mentorship opportunities.
• Safety-focused workplace.
• Referral bonus eligibility for current employees.

About the company

High Liner Foods, founded in 1899 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has evolved from a small salt fish business into a major North American producer and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine, C. Wirthy & Co, Mrs. Paul’s, Van de Kamp’s, and Icelandic Seafood, serving families, restaurants, and institutions across Canada and the United States.

With a purpose centered on reimagining seafood to nourish life, the company blends long-standing expertise with innovation, consumer understanding, and responsible practices. High Liner Foods emphasizes a people-first culture that supports development, teamwork, safety, well-being, and career growth across offices, plants, and distribution operations.

Values

The organization’s values focus on serving customers and consumers with purpose, acting with integrity, embracing innovation, and working together as one team.

Additional information

This role is based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada and is a full-time onsite position. It supports operations across the United States and Canada and involves collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The posting notes that current employees may be eligible for a referral bonus under company policy.