Food Compliance Officer

Ministry for Primary Industries; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Eye care/ corrective lenses support

Job summary

MPI is seeking a Food Compliance Officer to help protect New Zealand's food supply. The role mixes office and field work, engaging with the public and food businesses to resolve safety issues and ensure only safe and suitable food is sold.

The position requires warrants of authority and practical knowledge of food safety laws, with a public-facing, accountable approach. Training is provided, and travel across New Zealand may be required.

Qualifications

• Ability to become warranted as a Food Safety Officer and other applicable warrants of authority (e.g. Animal Products Act, Geographical Indications Registration Act, Wine Act).
• Practical working knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate.
• Self-starter who can apply a risk-based approach to food safety and enforcement.
• Comfortable engaging regularly with food businesses and other stakeholders in a public-facing role.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and manage breaches of the Food Act, Wine Act, Geographical Indications Registration Act and parts of the Animal Products Act.
• Work both in office and in the field, resolving safety issues with the public and food industry.
• Prepare robust prosecution cases when required and travel within New Zealand when needed.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe and suitable food is sold.

Skills

Risk-based approach

Stakeholder engagement

Public-facing communicator

Independent worker

Job description

Job title: Food Compliance OfficerRole type: Permanent roleLocation: Auckland MPI CentreSalary band & range: $80,457 to $83,528 depending on skills and experienceAbout the Role - Korero mo te TurangaWe 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'll be responsible for working with members of the public and the food industry to resolve a range of food safety 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 by helping to ensure only safe and suitable food is sold across Aotearoa New Zealand.In this role you will ensure that all reported breaches of the Food Act, Wine Act, Geographical Indications Registration Act and parts of the Animal Products Act are identified, assessed, and managed by the most appropriate intervention using education, monitoring, intelligence, analysis, investigation, and prosecution.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.About You - MouThis 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, Geographical Indications Registration Act and Wine Act.Practical working knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate.You are a self-starter who can apply a risk-based approach to food safety and enforcement. You can work independently or with other Officers, which may include preparing robust court prosecution cases where significant non-compliance is identified. This is a public facing role which involves engaging regularly with food businesses and other stakeholders.We are looking for people who can carry out the role in a firm but fair manner and 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.About the Team - Mo to matou RopuThis role will report to Regional Manager Food Compliance North, working amongst a nationwide team of 24 Food Compliance Officers. You will receive comprehensive training from the team and provided with support from the team to ensure your success in this role.About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu MatuaThe Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu MatuaAdditional MPI leave daysAnnual Wellness paymentBi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/framesAre you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.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 Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries 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.We will review applications as they are received and may close this advertisement early if we identify a suitable candidate. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.Applications close at midnight on Sunday 22 November 2026.If you have any questions about the role, please email [e-mail] MPI here - Whaia nga tuhononga ki MPI i koneiLinks to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X