Supervising Veterinarian (Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1) | Invercargill

Job Description

Supervising Veterinarian (Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1)

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Invercargill, Blue Sky Meats

Salary range: VTS Salary Range 5: $119,371 to $164,134 per annum

Starting salary will be dependent on skills and experience of the successful applicant.

In addition to salary, we offer overtime, penal time and shift allowances.

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The purpose of this role within New Zealand Food Safety Verification Services is to provide a range of food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity verification and certification services based at meat exporting plants. To support the meat industry and New Zealand's reputation in the world red meat market for the product produced and to ensure food safety and export standards are being followed by the plant. 

If you are you are a veterinary verifier looking for your next career move or an experienced clinical veterinarian looking for something new, we have an opportunity for a Supervising Veterinarian (VTS1) based at ME80 Blue Sky Meats, Invercargill. 

MPI Verification Services (VS) provides a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to support market access strategies and setting standards.

Our core purpose is to deliver independent, cost-effective, and high-quality verification, certification, inspection, and clearance programs to ensure operators meet all regulatory requirements. We are committed to providing a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to at least 2,000 processing companies across New Zealand, including the meat, seafood, game, and dairy industries.

This position is currently a 5 x 8hr roster in which the VTS1 predominantly works the middle shift but would be expected to rotate through both the early morning and night shifts periodically.

Key responsibilities in this role include;

• Ensure that official assurances issued for export products are valid and withstand third party reviews through audit and verification.
• Responsibly manage the workload for the VS team, including;
• Recognising workloads and ensure that tasks are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and hours.
• Work successfully with & support the regional MPI team, as well as the wider MPI team such as the technical team and other external stakeholders such as farmers.
• Work with operator personnel of different levels from plant manager to frontline staff and will be able to tailor your communication with them effectively.
• Attend and facilitate internal, external and market access reviews. Demonstrate the process to these reviewers and facilitate, in conjunction with the operator and MPI, resolution of any review findings.

You will receive full-time technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation. We have ongoing mentoring and technical support for you in your new role. 

About You – Mōu

Although experience in Verification would be preferred, the successful candidate does not require prior experience in this field.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (Or be able to obtain registration with VCNZ)
• Have verbal and written skills, and analytical reasoning skills
• Demonstrate integrity and trust, ethics and values, resilience, adaptability, and openness
• Have experience persuading and influencing, teamwork, planning and organising
• Have computer literacy – can operate standard and customised software to an acceptable standard e.g. word-processing, excel, internet, email
• It is advantageous if you have knowledge of HACCP/Quality Assurance in Food Safety however, this is included in your training.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū 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.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

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

• Professional membership and annual practicing certificate reimbursement
• Annual Wellness payment
• Additional MPI leave days

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Team Manager Establishment for Invercargill is looking for a NZ registered Veterinarian to join the team in a Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1 role based at Blue Sky Meats. 

ME80, Blue Sky Meats is in Morton Mains which is 25 kms north of Invercargill.  The relaxed pace of life and friendly people make Southland an easy place to live, a bonus is the affordable housing and easy availability of lifestyle blocks. As well as great facilities in Invercargill, or a bit further north in Gore, the location is in easy reach of the Catlins, Fiordland, Queenstown and central Otago with a vast range of activities to enjoy in the stunning scenery.

Blue Sky Meats is an independent operator and MPI has an on-site team of three vets covering processing on both night and day shifts.

The premises processes sheep, bobby calves and occasionally goats for most of the year. The position is a VTS1 (Supervising Vet) role, typically working a 5 x 8hr week. Rostered shifts will include the nightshift and some Saturday work. 

The plant is located within easy driving distance of Invercargill - New Zealand's southernmost city with a population exceeding 53,000. Invercargill is the capital of Southland. Invercargill is well-serviced with an excellent range of shops and a selection of lively bars and restaurants. The family-friendly Invercargill also boasts an abundance of special natural spaces, from parks and gardens to picturesque bushes and reserves, rivers, and beaches, as well as the unique Sandy Point domain.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

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.

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, whanau 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 a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; 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.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 7^th January.

However suitable applicants will be considered and progressed with before this date.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Luke Farrell at luke.farrell@mpi.govt.nz