Team Leader Circuit at Ministry for Primary Industries, Blenheim

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Role type: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Blenheim/Nelson, Upper South Island

Salary band: Salary for this role is $92,073 to $124,570 if you are not a qualified Veterinarian. If you are a qualified Veterinarian the salary is $109,199 progressing to $136,499 per annum. Starting salary for this role will be dependent on skills and experience of the successful applicant.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role

We are looking for a people leader to fill the Team Leader Circuit role on a permanent basis. Within this role you will be supporting the Team Manager Circuit in the delivery of the national strategy and implementation programme in alignment with Verification Services Leadership Team (VSLT) business development plans. You will be leading a team of 4 verifiers who carry out quality assurance audits across a range of local businesses and industries. Your team engages primarily with animal products production businesses to support export through verification (RMP, RCS and EAP) and certification, and the production of fit for purpose animal products. Your team also regulates businesses operating under Biosecurity Act, Animal Welfare Act, Food Act, and Overseas Market requirements.  Your team is based across two offices, Blenheim and Nelson and services the West Coast of the South Island.  

Within this position you will:

• Support business development and improvement initiatives locally.
• Be accountable for circuit technical and operational business performance including foreign regulatory audits, and maintenance of ISO17020; Standard for the competence of inspection bodies.
• Oversee technical work of Verification Services (VS) staff within the circuit team and undertake production business verification work. Liaise and collaborate with peer Team Leaders and Managers to ensure consistency and calibration across circuits.
• Ensure that circuit staff implement an effective issue management process to verify that timely corrective and preventive actions, including product disposition, are completed by the relevant operator or, if not, intervene or apply sanctions.
• Complete verification and certification work across a range of production business sectors such as fishing vessels, wet fish factories, dual operator butchers, animal material depots, apiary products, wild game processors and meat pack houses. 
• Be required to complete some out of hours work and travel.

Mōu - About You

To be successful for this role you will have:

• Experience leading teams of technical people, preferably in a regulatory environment.
• A science-based tertiary or postgraduate qualification.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices associated with HACCP, Quality Assurance systems, Risk Management Systems.
• Demonstrated competence in verification principles.
• Strong organisational and analytical reasoning skills. 
• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of MPI policies and procedures and the understanding of their impact on stakeholders.

Verification Services provides a strong technical training programme along with ongoing support. While some existing technical knowledge is required, the successful applicant will be provided with training and supported to develop their technical competency if required. 

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

• Joining VS is a gateway to a wider career path within the Ministry for Primary Industries. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that wants you to achieve your potential. 
• If selected, you'll receive four to six weeks of full-time technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation. 
• We have ongoing, on-site based practical training, mentoring and technical support for you in your new role. 
• You'll be given the opportunity to further develop technical and management skills with a comprehensive in-service training which includes interpersonal and communication skills, as these are critical aspects in this position. 

Ahurea - Culture

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. We are fair in our behaviour and our policies promote equal opportunity for all. 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 MPI and we will help you grow. 

Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/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 under the application process, on pre-employment checks page. 

To join a diverse and interesting organisation that offers a wide range of career opportunities click on our link below! 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal.

The closing date is 10 July 2022.

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

The Ministry for Primary Industries is committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values inclusion and diversity. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to our communities in Aotearoa. In return you'll enjoy an inclusive and flexible working environment in a diverse team of people while you're growing your career here in NZ and internationally. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.