Staff Officer, Maintenance Systems

New Zealand Defence Force; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 99,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover

Critical illness protection

Insurance discounts

Will services

Defence savings

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force – Trentham, North Island is seeking a Defence Logistics Command (Land) SME for MROR support across the Army and Land environment. This role provides strategic leadership, develops MROR doctrine, and ensures effective maintenance, sustainment, and operational readiness.

The successful candidate will drive policy, systems, and procedures, and guide lifecycle activities from acquisition to through-life management, while leading continuous improvement initiatives to enhance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' MROR experience.
• Experience in contract management and financial management.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand Defence Force and its operational environment.
• Engineering qualification desirable.
• Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain MROR doctrine, policy, systems and procedures.
• Provide strategic leadership and expert guidance across the capability lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise MROR systems, processes and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with governance obligations in operational and training environments.
• Lead MROR delivery across Army capabilities and sustainment.

Skills

Logistics leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

Operational readiness

Leadership capability

Communication skills

Financial management

Contract management

MROR knowledge

Policy development

Education

Engineering qualification

Professional eng. institution membership

Job description

New Zealand Defence Force – Trentham, North Island

This role serves as the Defence Logistics Command (Land) SME for all Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Recovery (MROR) support matters within the Army and Land environment.

This pivotal role provides strategic leadership and specialist advice to ensure the effective delivery of maintenance support, sustainment, compliance, and operational readiness across Army capabilities.

The position is responsible for developing and maintaining MROR doctrine, policy, systems, and procedures, ensuring Army meets its legislative, governance, and compliance obligations in both operational and training environments. The role provides expert guidance across the capability lifecycle, including equipment acquisition, concept development, training, sustainment, and through-life management.

The role also drives continuous improvement initiatives, optimising MROR systems, processes, and procedures to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and operational support capability.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced logistics, engineering, or maintenance support professional with strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning skills to contribute to the operational success and sustainment of New Zealand Army capabilities.

The salary for this role will be approximately $116,000 inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.

We are looking for an experienced logistics and engineering professional with significant MROR expertise, strong leadership capability, and an understanding of NZDF operations, logistics, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate combines technical and operational knowledge with proven people leadership experience, highly developed communication skills, and project delivery skills.

Other attributes needed include:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to produce reports/directives.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines within resource constraints.
• Sound contract and financial management expertise.
• Project management knowledge/experience is desirable.

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years' experience within an MROR environment.

Demonstrated experience in contract management and financial management.

Strong knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand Defence Force and its operational environment.

Operational logistics experience is desirable.

An Engineering qualification is desirable.

Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution is desirable.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.