Specialist Systems Auditor - in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North or Nelson | Christchurch

Job Description

Job Title: Specialist Systems Auditor

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time

Location: Can be based in Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Nelson, Christchurch or Dunedin

General Salary Range C: from $119,376 to $160,026 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The Systems Audit Team is responsible for auditing New Zealand's food control system to ensure that the system is robust and operating effectively.  The work of the team helps to continuously improve our systems to give New Zealand Food Safety, MPI and Overseas Competent Authorities ongoing confidence in the effectiveness of our System.  The work also supports the issuing of official assurances and attestations for market access which underpins New Zealand's $50 billion of food and primary industries export trade.

As a Specialist Systems Auditor at MPI, you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging audits, both individually and with a team for the larger audits. This work will require you to travel across the country and provide technical expertise to domestic and international stakeholders.

Key Responsiblties:

• You will visit businesses across New Zealand to confirm that they are complying with New Zealand's, and where relevant, overseas country requirements
• You will facilitate and host audits by overseas authorities to confirm that their requirements are being met.  This will usually be in person audits in New Zealand but sometimes you will be required to participate in or lead live stream audits where the auditors are watching from overseas
• You will provide technical expertise to accreditation bodies (IANZ and JASANZ) to ensure that those being accredited to International Standards as part of their MPI recognition are also familiar with and complying with the relevant MPI requirements
• You will perform special audits to follow up on serious non-conformances as required
• You will be required to contribute to the development, maintenance and implementation of the team's quality management and health and safety systems

You will normally carry out audits in a sector that you are familiar with, however we encourage auditors to increase the scope of the sectors that they can work with over time by supporting other audits.

About You - Mōu

Our new Specialist Systems Auditor will be a person with impeccable integrity who is looking for their next career challenge.  They need to be confident enough to represent MPI and therefore New Zealand in a professional manner with overseas auditors, and also be able to relate to the range of domestic operators and stakeholders that are involved in audits.

We are looking for an excellent communicator (both written and verbal) who has significant experience in auditing or verification and who has an in-depth understanding of a sector and the requirements that sector operates under.

You will be a technical expert in a relevant field.  We would prefer someone with verification experience in one or more animal product sectors (excluding dairy) to provide sector coverage for the team.  We are particularly interested in those with experience in meat, poultry, bee products, seafood including shellfish, live animals and germplasm.

This role requires frequent and irregular travel.  Some audits can be completed using day or overnight trips.  Many audits require extended periods away (usually one to three weeks, with travel home for weekends when possible). There is occasionally a need to work or travel on public holidays or weekends but we try to minimise this. The successful applicant must be prepared for working in this way.

You must hold a current and 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.

In addition our ideal candidate will have:

• a tertiary qualification in a discipline relevant to the primary sector (e.g. Veterinary Science qualification recognised by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, Food Safety, Food Technology, Science)
• a professional qualification in auditing, preferably an internationally recognised lead auditor qualification
• an ability to build effective relationships
• the ability to conduct systematic audits and investigations
• knowledge of international trade arrangements and MPI's role as a Competent Authority
• an in-depth knowledge of the Animal Products Act 1999 and its subsidiary legislation
• an awareness of other regulatory frameworks (e.g. Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act, Animal Welfare Act, Food Act, Wine Act and Biosecurity Act) and administrative regimes (Organics, Plants, Treatments or Seed Varietal)

 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 Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Systems Audit team is critical to MPI's work within New Zealand and impacts on our place in the global market.  Systems Auditors are recognised as experts in their field and are trusted advisers at MPI, and by industry and with the Agencies we work with.

The team operates a Quality Management System to ensure that our audit services are consistent and professional.  We are working on health and safety systems to ensure that we all stay safe while carrying out our audits.  Everyone is expected to contribute to the development, maintenance and implementation of these systems. The team is geographically distributed around New Zealand, so we get together regularly – both on-line and when possible in person.  The team is cooperative and collaborative and is known for its great supportive team culture. 

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
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

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 11.59pm on Sunday, 21 September 2025.

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

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