Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1 (ME125) | Northland

Job Description

Veterinary Technical Supervisor 1

Role type: Permanent, full time

Location: Dargaville, Northland

Salary range: VTS Salary Range 6: $116,115 to $145,143

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

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 ME125 Silver Fern Farms, Dargaville. 

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 4 x 10 roster in which the VTS 1 usually works between 5.45am to 4.15pm. Every 6-8 weeks the VTS 1 is expected to work a week of night shifts.

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 the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. Reporting to the Team Manager Establishment, Bay of Plenty.

This position is based at Silver Fern Farms Dargaville in Northland, which is very close to the beautiful Kai Iwi Lakes and the Kauri Coast, just over two hours drive to Auckland.

You will supervise one other full time veterinarian and one part time veterinarian, as well as working closely with the plant personnel. The plant processes only adult beef and has a cold store for frozen product. The plant runs on a day shift and night shift for most of the year and the successful applicant will be expected to work on both shifts, at different times.

This position sits within the Establishment Team for the Bay of Plenty and you may occasionally be required to work at other local meat establishments in the geographic area. 

 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 sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

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

• Annual Wellness payment and reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Professional membership reimbursement

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.

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 Monday 2^nd March 2026.

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

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