Manager Bilateral Relations and Trade (China) | Wellington City

Job Description

Manager Bilateral Relations and Trade – China

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

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) plays a key role in working with the primary industries to enable their success and increase the value of our nation's exports. This includes ensuring the necessary international relationships are built and negotiating the best possible access requirements for New Zealand's exports of primary products and food.

We're looking for a confident, experienced leader to manage MPI's Bilateral Relations and Trade team for China, a role at the centre of one of New Zealand's key trading relationships. As Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of bilateral strategies and business plans that support market access outcomes for New Zealand's primary products and food. You'll provide clear direction and strategic oversight, ensuring the team is well positioned to deliver a complex and high‑impact programme of work.

You'll be responsible for leading, mentoring, and developing a skilled team, while coordinating a coherent and effective approach to bilateral engagement with China. This includes stakeholder and relationship management, technical and policy guidance, and ensuring strong performance, financial management, planning, and reporting.

There will also be times when the Manager is required to actively lead international meetings, including negotiations and represent MPI and New Zealand internationally.

About You – Mōu

The role operates in a fast‑paced and often ambiguous international environment, requiring sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to lead decisively under pressure while managing sensitive diplomatic considerations.

To be successful in this role, you would have:

• Experience leading and managing teams, including setting direction, developing capability, and fostering a high‑performing and inclusive team culture.
• Experience in market access, trade policy, or international negotiations, including the development, implementation, and management of bilateral or multilateral arrangements.
• Strong knowledge of international and domestic regulatory environments, particularly in relation to biosecurity, food safety, and/or primary sector regulation, and the ability to apply this knowledge in a complex international context.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, and international counterparts.
• Experience providing strategic advice and oversight, including the ability to manage competing priorities, guide complex programmes of work, and deliver agreed outcomes.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Reporting to the Divisional Manager, Bilateral Relations and Trade, you'll provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team of eight people, including Market Access Counsellors, Specialist Advisers Market Access, and a Policy Analyst. Together, the team delivers a complex and high‑impact programme of work, combining policy development, technical expertise, and international engagement.

The team works closely with colleagues across MPI, other government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international counterparts to support effective bilateral relationships, progress market access priorities, and ensure New Zealand's regulatory and trade interests are well represented. Through this work, the team helps enable the success of New Zealand's primary industries and supports the integrity and resilience of our international trade relationships.

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru 

Higher level Security Clearance (Secret)

• 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. 

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

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 Wednesday 25 February.

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

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