Job Description

Hermitage Processing Inc., a Division of Cooke Aquaculture Inc., a dynamic and growing east coast family company, with Platinum Member status in the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program, is offering a unique opportunity for the right individual to join the Processing Team as Fish Processing Plant Handler.

Cooke is a global seafood company with operations in North America, Europe, and South America. Our company’s success is driven by our dynamic, highly-skilled and innovative management team, supported by dedicated employees who live in coastal communities and contribute to the local area’s economy and sense of community.

The Role

The Fish Processing Plant Handler supports daily processing operations by safely offloading fish from harvest vessels, moving product and materials (including by forklift), carrying out elemental processing/handling tasks, performing sanitization of equipment and areas, and assisting with light maintenance. This position reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Receiving & Material Handling

• Offload fish from fishing/harvest vessels and transport to processing areas by hand or forklift following dock and traffic safety procedures.
• Weigh, record, and ice product; sort according to species, grade/weight, and destination.
• Move supplies and packaging throughout the plant manually or using powered equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, forklifts).

Processing & Packaging Support

• Perform elemental processing/handling tasks such as brining fillets, staging for cutting/filleting lines, and feeding hoppers as directed.
• Assist with packaging, labelling, palletizing, and staging finished goods for cold storage and shipment.

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Clean and sanitize work areas, tools, and processing equipment per SSOPs, maintaining hygiene consistent with preventive controls under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and CFIA guidance for fish/seafood.
• Handle chemicals safely and keep records/logs required by the sanitation program.
• Follow product handling controls (temperature/ice).

Light Maintenance (Non‑Trade)

• Perform basic upkeep such as touch‑up painting, minor surface repairs, tightening guards/fasteners, and reporting deficiencies; support maintenance shutdowns as assigned (no electrical or trade work). (Aligned with “clean work areas and equipment” and plant upkeep expectations in processing facilities.)

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Qualifications:

• Experience: Prior seafood/food manufacturing or cold‑environment experience is an asset but not a requirement as on the job training is provided.
• Licences/Certifications:
  • Valid forklift operator certification (counterbalance/pallet truck). Company provides certification on site training.
  • WHMIS training (company provided).
• Physical demands: Ability to stand for long periods, perform repetitive motions, and lift/move up to 50 pounds. Comfortable working in cold, wet environments.
• Attention to detail, safe equipment handling, basic numbers/weights recording, ability to follow written and verbal instructions, teamwork.

The Opportunity

The role description is just one part of the story. This is an opportunity to grow, to stretch, to work within the parameters of the role but stretch to your fullest potential. We are a team that counts performance, we reward contribution, and we recognize talent. It is about being at the center of the fastest growing company in Atlantic Canada and knowing you are part of that growth. The ability to bring your passion for learning, desire for growth, and energy for moving your career forward is what we offer.

The Why

Why Cooke? Simple – we are a company that rewards initiative, resourcefulness and work ethic. We will champion your growth and provide you with the platform to create your path, your career and your future.

NOTE: The recruiter is reviewing and interviewing eligible applicants for this position as they are received. If you are interested in this posting, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

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