Food Compliance Officer at Ministry for Primary Industries, Nelson

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Job title: Food Compliance Officer

Role type: Permanent role

Location: Nelson

Salary band & range: $80,457 to $83,528 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

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 safety 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, 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 - Mōu

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 are a self-starter who can apply a risk-based approach to food safety and enforcement You can work independently or with other Officers, preparing 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 endoresements required for the type of driving you will be doing.

You do not need to meet all 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 Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

This role will report to Regional Manager Food Compliance South, working amongst a nationwide team of 24 Food Compliance Officers. You will receive comprehensive training from the team and provided with support from the team to ensure your success in this role.

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.

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

• 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 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 midnight on Wednesday 16 September 2026.

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

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