Food Compliance Officer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Bi-annual paid eye test and lenses/for

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ in Christchurch seeks a Food Compliance Officer to protect New Zealand’s food supply. The role blends office and field work, addressing food safety issues and breaches with education, monitoring, analysis and enforcement when needed.

You will work with stakeholders, progress investigations under the Food Act, Wine Act and related Acts, and complete a four-week training program. Travel within NZ is expected where possible.

Qualifications

• The ability to become warranted as a Food Safety Officer and other applicable warrants.
• Practical working knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate.
• Self-starter with a risk-based approach to food safety and enforcement.
• Ability to work independently or with other Officers, preparing robust court prosecution cases where significant non-compliance is identified.

Responsibilities

• Work with the public and the food industry to resolve a range of food safety issues.
• Report breaches of the Food Act, Wine Act, Geographical Indications Registration Act and parts of the Animal Products Act with appropriate intervention.
• Attend and complete a comprehensive training course of up to four weeks spread throughout the year.
• Willingness to travel within New Zealand when possible and operate in both office and field settings.
• Report to Regional Manager Food Compliance South and collaborate with a nationwide team of 24 Food Compliance Officers.

Job description

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ – Christchurch, South Island

Salary band & range: $80,457 to $83,528 depending on skills and experience

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’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.

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, 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 wo can apply a risk-based approach to food safety and enforcement You can work independently or with other Officers, preparing robust court prosecution cases where significant non-compliance is identified.

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.

This role will report to Regional Manager Food Compliance South, 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.

The 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.

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau 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 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.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 27 September 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email *************@mpi.govt.nz