Manager Trade Strategy & Systems | Wellington City

Job Description

Manager Trade Strategy & Systems

Role Type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary range & band: General Salary Range A: $162,094 to $189,933 depending on skills and experience

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for an experienced and strategically minded Manager Trade Strategy & Systems to lead a high‑impact team within the Trade and International Relations Directorate, Policy & Trade business unit.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of MPI's trade system. You will lead a team that operates as the strategy and insights hub of the directorate, providing advice that strengthens New Zealand's trade system and supports the delivery of government trade and export growth objectives.

As Manager Trade Strategy & Systems, you will:

• Position the team as the central hub for strategy, insight and system coherence, supporting senior leaders to make well‑informed, timely decisions
• Provide expert advice on domestic and international regulatory alignment, with a focus on supporting sustainable and competitive trade outcomes
• Lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of directorate planning systems, including trade prioritisation frameworks, and business continuity and readiness arrangements
• Own and evolve MPI's trade response system, ensuring readiness to respond to trade‑related impacts arising from food safety, biosecurity or other incidents
• Scan for emerging trade risks and opportunities, translating insight into practical strategic advice and system improvements
• Build and maintain strong relationships across MPI and with central agencies, including MFAT and NZTE, to support a cohesive, system‑wide approach to trade and international engagement
• Engage Māori primary sectors on the trade system and represent MPI internationally on indigenous trade matters
• Manage resources, work programmes and budgets in line with organisational priorities

About You – Mōu

You will bring a strong background in strategy, policy, systems or regulatory leadership, ideally gained within complex public sector, international, or primary‑sector‑related environments.

You'll bring a strong combination of strategic leadership, systems thinking and trade expertise, along with the ability to operate confidently in complex and ambiguous environments.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Demonstrated experience leading strategy, planning or system‑focused teams in complex policy or regulatory environments
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand's trade system and international trading environment, including WTO‑related frameworks
• A solid understanding of regulatory frameworks affecting primary sector trade, and the ability to assess regulatory impacts, risks and trade‑offs
• Experience developing or overseeing planning, prioritisation or response frameworks
• Proven ability to translate complex issues and provide clear, trusted advice to senior leaders and to influence across organisational boundaries
• Well‑developed people leadership skills, with experience building team capability and performance
• The judgement, diplomacy and political nous required to operate as a senior manager within the public service and on the international stage

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You'll join the Trade Strategy & Systems team within the Trade and International Relations Directorate. The team plays a unique role across the directorate, acting as a connector between strategy, operations and system design, and helping ensure MPI's trade functions are resilient and future‑focused.

The team plays a critical role in strengthening trade system resilience and integrity through expert advice on regulatory alignment and coherence, and by ensuring the directorate has robust trade response systems in place.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

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

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Higher level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

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 Thursday 19th February

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

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