Team Manager Business Operations

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wellington; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Wellness payment

Eye test and lens allowance

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking a Team Manager Business Operations in Wellington (or other NZ locations) to lead Verification Services’ business operations. You will lead a team of up to five Business Advisers and Coordinators, ensuring workforce planning, scheduling, governance and support services deliver efficient, compliant frontline verification and certification outcomes.

The role focuses on improving service delivery and driving continuous improvement across MPI, reporting to

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading people and operations functions.
• Experience delivering operational and strategic planning initiatives.
• Strong analytical and evidence-based advisory capabilities.
• Experience supporting multi-site or national operations.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a nationally coordinated relief scheduling strategy across Verification Services.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPI shared services and corporate functions for effective service delivery.
• Drive optimisation of business logistics and risk management to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Prepare briefing papers, advice and decision support for frontline teams.
• Oversee governance, secretariat and business support functions to enable timely decisions.
• Improve systems, processes, policies and procedures for consistent service delivery.
• Lead projects and business improvement initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Develop and coach a high-performing Business Operations team and foster a positive culture.

Skills

Leadership

Workforce planning

Stakeholder management

Operations planning

Strategic thinking

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

Team Manager Business Operations

Role Type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington preferred, other locations will be considered

Salary range & band: General Salary Range C: $121,764 to $142,494 depending on skills and experience

About The Role – Kōrero Mō Te Tūranga

We are looking for an experienced people leader and operational strategist to join New Zealand Food Safety's Verification Services directorate as Team Manager Business Operations. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring the business operations planning, and support functions that underpin Verification Services are delivered efficiently, consistently, and effectively.

Leading a dedicated team of business advisers and coordinators, you will oversee workforce planning, national relief scheduling, business support services, governance processes, and operational logistics that enable frontline verification and certification services to meet the needs of New Zealand's food and primary sectors. You will work closely with Verification Services leaders, MPI shared services, and corporate teams to strengthen operational performance, improve service delivery, and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.

• Lead the delivery of a nationally coordinated relief scheduling strategy that ensures frontline operational capability is maintained across Verification Services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with MPI shared services, including fleet, facilities, procurement, and corporate functions, to ensure effective service delivery.
• Drive the optimisation of business logistics and associated risk management practices to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and support consistent delivery outcomes across VS teams.
• Prepare high quality briefing papers, advice, and decision support papers, and develop clear, timely communications to support effective messaging to frontline teams.
• Oversee governance, secretariat, and business support functions that enable informed and timely decision-making.
• Improve systems, processes, policies, and operational procedures to support efficient and consistent service delivery.
• Lead projects and business improvement initiatives from planning through to implementation.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Business Operations team while fostering a positive and engaged team culture.

About You – Mōu

You are a collaborative and pragmatic leader who thrives in complex operational environments. You bring strong workforce planning, business operations, and stakeholder management experience, along with a proven ability to lead teams and drive organisational improvement.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Demonstrated experience leading people and business operations functions, including workforce planning and resource management.
• Experience delivering operational, strategic, or business planning initiatives that improve organisational performance and service delivery.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess risks, synthesise complex information, and provide clear evidence-based advice.
• Experience supporting national, regional, or multi-site operations.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• A tertiary qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

About The Team – Mō Tō Mātou Rōpū

Reporting to the Manager Business Operations & Performance, you will lead a team of up to five Business Advisers and Coordinators.

The Business Operations team supports Verification Services (VS), part of New Zealand Food Safety, by providing the planning, coordination, governance and operational support that enables frontline teams to deliver effectively. VS provides food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to around 2,000 businesses and facilities across New Zealand, helping protect New Zealand and support international market access.

About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

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.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday 23rd October 2026

If you have any questions about the role, please email [e-mail]