Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
We are looking for a Food Compliance Officer dedicated to protecting New Zealand's food supply. This exciting opportunity gives you a chance to be part of Food Compliance Services where you can use your unique blend of technical and personal skills to work with stakeholders in a sector crucial to New Zealand's national interests.
As a Food Compliance Officer, you will be responsible for working with members of the public and the food industry to resolve a range of food sector related issues. Each day will provide variety, as you work both in an office and in the field, dealing with new people every day, while making a difference in helping to ensure only safe and suitable food is sold across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Food Compliance Officers contribute to MPI achieving its vision, by delivering effective food safety and suitability related compliance and enforcement services. The scope of the role includes:
As a Food Compliance Officer, you will ensure that all reported breaches of the Food Act, Wine Act and parts of the Animal Products Act are identified, assessed and managed by the most appropriate intervention using education, monitoring, surveillance, intelligence, analysis, investigation and prosecution;
Working with other New Zealand agencies and co-regulators on food safety and suitability issues including foodborne illness outbreaks, involving food sold and manufactured in New Zealand.
This role is based in Dunedin, South Island.
Mō te peka - About the Branch
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS)| Haumaru Kai Aotearoa leads the development, implementation and oversight of the regulatory and compliance system that underpins our impressive food economy.
NZFS ensures that producers and growers have the best opportunities to thrive and grow their business leads through to having consumers have the knowledge that the food in front of them is safe, sustainable and the best product for them, their whānau and friends.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. We are fair in our behaviour and our policies promote equal opportunity for all. We provide numerous training programmes and opportunities for people to continuously improve their skill sets and keep up to date with global best practices. MPI has a focus on career pathways so this is the first step in your career with us and we will help you grow
Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
This role will report to Regional Manager Food Compliance South, working amongst a team of 7 Food Compliance Officers that are based in Nelson, Dunedin, and Christchurch.
You will receive comprehensive training from the team and provided with support from the team to ensure your success in this role.
This team supports businesses located from Stewart Island up to Timaru and across to Queenstown so some travel may be involved for this position.
Mōu - About You
This is a great opportunity for an ambitious and people focused individual who is interested in developing a career in food safety.
To be successful in this role we are looking for someone who has:
- The ability to become warranted as a Food Safety Officer and other applicable warrants of authority e.g. Animal Products Act and Wine Act.
- Have practical working knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate.
- Be a self-starter who can apply system thinking, along with analytical skills, to proactively identify areas of non-compliance.
- Independently or with other Officers, prepare and present robust court prosecution cases where significant non-compliance is identified.
- Can carry out your role in a firm but fair manner.
- Build and sustain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
If you are passionate about food safety and are comfortable in dealing with both industry and the public, we want to hear from you.
Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako – Skills & Experience
- Experience in the food sector and/or food regulation and enforcement
- Sound judgement and analytical skills, with particular emphasis on application in a regulatory and compliance environment
- Sound relationship management skills
- Proven communication and presentation skills
- Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity
- Must hold a full New Zealand driver's licence
Qualifications
Tertiary qualifications in food science, environmental/public health or relevant science disciplines and/or equivalent regulatory, compliance and enforcement experience
Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI
- Up to three additional (MPI holiday) leave days
- Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
- Wellness benefit for employees
- See the benefits of working at MPI
Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening
Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.
Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to Apply
If you are successful, you will be expected to attend and successfully complete a comprehensive training course of up to four weeks, which is spread throughout the year. Willingness to travel within New Zealand is required when possible. The role is an enforcement role, requiring maturity and resilience but can provide real satisfaction within a supportive and inclusive workforce.
In order to be considered for this role, applicants must be available for an interview within New Zealand, must hold a current New Zealand work permit or be a New Zealand resident and hold a New Zealand driver's licence.
You will also be required to successfully complete a Criminal Conviction Check.
Applications should include a copy of the applicant's CV and a cover letter detailing:
- Why you are interested in the role, and
- An overview of how your skills and experience relate to the role.
- Applications close at midnight on Sunday 9th March 2025
If you have any questions about the role, please email Luke.Farrell@mpi.govt.nz
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