Food Compliance Officer

Job Title : Food Compliance Officer

Role type : Permanent, full-time

Location : Auckland

Salary band & range : COPS S / CO $78,879 to $81,890 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

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 sector-related 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, surveillance, 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 - Mou

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 will be a self-starter who can apply system thinking, along with analytical skills, to proactively identify areas of non-compliance.

You can work independently or with other Officers, preparing and presenting 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.

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or provisional) or equivalent full foreign drivers' licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply.

We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Branch - Mo te peka

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS)| Haumaru Kai Aotearoa leads the development, implementation and oversight of the regulatory and compliance system that underpins our impressive food economy.

NZFS ensures that producers and growers have the best opportunities to thrive and grow their business leads through to having consumers have the knowledge that the food in front of them is safe, sustainable and the best product for them, their whanau and friends.

We provide numerous training programmes and opportunities for people to continuously improve their skill sets and keep up to date with global best practices.

MPI has a focus on career pathways so this is the first step in your career with us, and we will help you grow.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

This role will report to Regional Manager Food Compliance North, working amongst a team of eight Food Compliance Officers that are based at the Auckland MPI Centre.

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 Matua

Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

Additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Annual Wellness payment

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamatau Whakapoauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test.

Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are 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.

Applications close at

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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