Technologue en emballage / Packaging Technologist

Nature's Touch Inc.•Montreal, QC

43d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Packaging Technologist, the Packaging Technologist is the hands-on technical driver of CI and maintenance packaging projects at Nature's Touch. The role focuses on bag and box redesigns, supplier onboarding, facility transfers, and specification updates across the active portfolio. You will work across all packaging tiers - primary (flexible film), secondary (corrugated), and tertiary (palletization and container loading) - ensuring packaging solutions are technically sound, material-efficient, and optimized for pack-out and logistics performance. You will collaborate closely with Regulatory, Sustainability, Procurement, Operations, and Supply Chain, contributing to packaging decisions that balance performance, cost, and circularity.

Requirements

2-5 years of experience in packaging development, packaging technology, or a related technical role in food/CPG (or strong recent graduate with relevant co-op/internship experience)
Post-secondary education in Packaging, Food Science, Materials, Chemical Technology, or related field
Strong technical knowledge of: Flexible film packaging (seal, COF, OTR/MVTR, laminates, co-ex structures, cold-chain performance), Corrugated packaging (ECT, flute, board grade, top-load performance), Packaging testing methods (seal strength, drop, ISTA, edge crush, top-load)
Experience with: Packaging testing, validation, and qualification protocols, Palletization and container loading optimization, Multi-site manufacturing environments and plant trials
Working knowledge of: EPR programs and sustainable packaging principles (material impact, recyclability, cost implications), Packaging design for circularity (material reduction, mono-material structures)
Proficiency with tools and systems: TOPS (or equivalent) - palletisation modelling and packaging specs, TraceGains (or equivalent) - specifications and supplier documentation, Monday.com (or equivalent) - workflow and project tracking, Microsoft Excel (advanced) - data analysis, testing results, comparisons, AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) for documentation, analysis, testing summaries, EPR modelling, and supplier research
Experience using AI tools in a professional or academic setting (documentation, analysis, reporting) - required
Ability to operate packaging testing equipment (seal testers, drop tests, top-load, etc.) and interpret results
Strong ability to write technical documentation (test reports, specifications, qualification summaries)
Comfortable working in a plant/manufacturing environment, including site visits and collaboration with operations teams
Bilingual in English and French

Nice To Haves

ArtiosCAD / Esko (or equivalent) - structural packaging design (asset)

Responsibilities

Execute packaging redesigns and optimizations (film gauge reduction, material changes, box redesigns, format improvements)
Support supplier onboarding and qualification, including testing, documentation review (TraceGains), and recommendation reports
Conduct packaging performance testing (seal strength, drop, ISTA, top-load, edge crush, OTR/MVTR)
Support plant trials, collect performance data, and troubleshoot packaging issues
Develop and optimize flexible film packaging (laminate, co-ex, mono-material structures, sealing performance)
Validate packaging against machinability, barrier performance, and durability requirements
Maintain testing protocols and contribute to the continuous improvement of methodologies
Develop and maintain corrugated packaging specifications (board grade, flute, ECT, dimensions)
Validate performance using top-load, edge crush, and logistics requirements
Identify over- or under-specification and drive optimization opportunities
Ensure alignment between specifications, artwork, and GS1 data
Model and optimize pallet configurations using TOPS (column, brick, pinwheel)
Validate container loading efficiency for domestic and international shipments
Ensure packaging decisions maximize cases per pallet and container utilization
Document and maintain pallet and container configurations
Evaluate EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) cost impact for all material and format changes
Integrate circularity principles (recyclability, material reduction, mono-material structures) into all projects
Identify opportunities to reduce EPR costs while maintaining performance and pack-out efficiency
Create and maintain packaging specifications in TraceGains and TOPS
Ensure all changes are accurate, version-controlled, and aligned with production requirements
Maintain supplier documentation (COAs, certifications, specs) and audit readiness
Partner with plant teams to support line trials, troubleshooting, and implementation
Support facility transfers and co-packer qualification
Investigate packaging-related quality issues and contribute to corrective actions
Provide technical support to NPD projects when required
Identify and recommend continuous improvement opportunities across the portfolio
Stay current on materials, packaging technologies, and regulatory/EPR developments