Senior Technical Adviser, Appraisals

Ministry for Primary Industries; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MPI leave days

Wellness payment

Eye test reimbursement

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in Wellington seeks a Senior Technical Adviser to join the Approvals team in New Zealand Food Safety. You will assess registration applications for food and animal product businesses and provide expert advice on food safety regulations to support safe production practices.

You will lead complex assessments, manage regulatory matters, and mentor colleagues while building strong stakeholder relationships across MPI and industry.

Qualifications

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of HACCP principles, hazard analysis, and food safety risk management systems.
• Experience analysing technical information, making evidence-based recommendations, and providing clear, practical advice.
• Building effective stakeholder relationships and delivering high-quality outcomes in a complex environment.
• Experience in food manufacturing, processing, quality assurance, food safety, regulatory or compliance environments.
• Experience leading complex technical or regulatory work.
• Mentoring or developing others.

Responsibilities

• Assess registration applications from food and animal product businesses against regulatory requirements under the Animal Products Act 1999 and Food Act 2014.
• Evaluate food safety risk management systems, including HACCP-based programmes.
• Provide expert advice on food safety legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.
• Manage complex compliance and regulatory matters involving registered businesses and recognised agencies.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across MPI, industry, local government, and recognised agencies.
• Contribute to policy development, operational improvements, and new regulatory initiatives.
• Lead complex assessments, projects, and regulatory decision-making processes.
• Mentor and support team members through technical guidance and coaching.

Skills

HACCP principles

Regulatory interpretation

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

**Senior Technical Adviser, Appraisals****Role type:** Full-time, permanent**Location:** Wellington**Salary band and range:** General Salary Range D/E ($88,748 to $120,365) depending on skills and experience**About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga**As a Senior Technical Adviser, you'll be part of a team of technical food safety specialists within the wider Approvals team in New Zealand Food Safety. You'll use your technical expertise to assess food and animal product businesses, support regulatory decision-making, and help ensure food produced in New Zealand is safe and suitable. In doing so, you'll play an important role in protecting public health and maintaining New Zealand's reputation as a trusted food producer.In this role, you will:* Assess registration applications from food and animal product businesses against regulatory requirements under the Animal Products Act 1999 and Food Act 2014.* Evaluate food safety risk management systems, including HACCP-based programmes.* Provide expert advice on food safety legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.* Manage complex compliance and regulatory matters involving registered businesses and recognised agencies.* Build strong relationships with stakeholders across MPI, industry, local government, and recognised agencies.* Contribute to policy development, operational improvements, and new regulatory initiatives.* Lead complex assessments, projects, and regulatory decision-making processes.* Mentor and support team members through technical guidance and coaching.**About You - Mōu**We're looking for someone who can combine technical expertise with sound judgement, strong communication skills, and a practical approach to problem-solving.You will bring the following skills or experience:* A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.* A strong understanding of HACCP principles, hazard analysis, and food safety risk management systems.* Experience analysing technical information, making evidence-based recommendations, and providing clear, practical advice.* Building effective stakeholder relationships and deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex environment.* Experience in food manufacturing, food processing, quality assurance, food safety, primary industries, regulatory or compliance environments.* Experience leading complex technical or regulatory work.* Mentoring or developing others.**About the Team -****Mō tō mātou Rōpū**You'll join a collaborative and supportive team where expertise is valued, knowledge is shared openly, and people are encouraged to learn, grow, and succeed. This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful regulatory outcomes, and build a rewarding career in a highly respected organisation.**About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua**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.To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.**Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu*** 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.To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “Apply” 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.**Applications close at midnight on Sunday 20 September 2026**