Veterinary Technical Supervisor 2 (ME26) | Dunedin

Job Description

Veterinarian (Veterinary Technical Supervisor 2)

Role type: Permanent, full time

Location: Balclutha, South Otago

Salary range: VTS Salary Range 9: $101,627 to $127,033 

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 Silver Fern Farms Finegand plant. You will support the meat industry and New Zealand's reputation in the world red meat market for the product produced and ensure food safety and export standards are being followed by the plant. 

We have an excellent opportunity available for a veterinarian, it offers a great work life balance!

The role is varied, and you will be expected to do the following:

• Undertake verification activities in line with current legislation and organisational requirements, thereby permitting the issue of official assurances
• Verify that requirements and procedures are being followed
• Provide certification for animal meat exports
• Complete ante mortem inspections and occasionally provide judgement on post-mortem inspection
• Ensure animal welfare is being maintained
• Maintain knowledge within the farming communities and be involved in on farm verification
• Collaborate well with internal and external stakeholders, such as meat works personnel, Veterinary colleagues/VS team

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

For more information on what the role will be like, please see the following link where members of Verification Services are asked questions about their roles:

Veterinary Careers in New Zealand with MPI Verification Services | VSGD Interview the Team | Videos & Movies on Vimeo

About You - Mōu

The successful candidate will:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (Or be able to obtain registration with VCNZ)
• Hold a full New Zealand driver's licence (or be able to obtain a full NZ licence by converting a current overseas driver's licence)
• 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 including 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 the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. Reporting to a Supervising Veterinarian (VTS1) and working alongside another VTS2, this role is suitable for newer verifiers to build up their knowledge of a wide variety of plant processing, or those looking to put down roots in a rural town. 

Silver Fern Farms Finegand plant is a large cattle and sheep slaughtering plant a few minutes drive south of Balclutha. This position covers various (morning and late/night) shifts throughout the year and you will be expected to rotate shifts as required. Some Saturday processing occurs and you would be expected to participate in the Saturday roster.

Balclutha sits on the banks of the mighty Clutha River and is the nearest large town to the Catlins, a scenic region of native forest, wildlife and rugged coastline. The town is about an hour south of Dunedin and 45 minutes from the airport, which is about to recommence direct flights to Australia.

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, here.

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

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” 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 Tuesday 22nd September 2026

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

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