Food Coordinator/Analyst | Wellington City

Job Description

Food Coordinator / Analyst

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time

Location: Wellington

 General Salary Range Band G: $67,658 to $78,771 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

 This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Food Compliance Services team in New Zealand Food Safety. Food Compliance Services manages urgent food safety issues, investigates non-compliances with food safety legislation and applies enforcement actions. We follow up food safety complaints including reports of foodborne illness outbreaks, allergic reactions, foreign matter found in food, non-compliant labelling, and manage food recalls, while making a difference in ensuring safe and suitable food is sold in Aotearoa.

As a Food Coordinator/Analyst, you will work closely with Food Compliance team members to support operational responses and investigations on food incidents, including food recalls. You will be working with members of the public and the food industry to resolve a range of compliance issues. The role is also responsible for ensuring efficient recording of and response to food incidents and emergencies.

In this role, you would have the opportunity to: 

• Be the first point of contact for food businesses or member of the public to report food safety issues.
• Interact with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including the NZ public, food industry contacts, government agencies, and a diverse range of stakeholders within MPI.
• Documents and assess reports of potential breaches of the Food Act 2014, Animal Products Act 1999, Wine Act 2003, and Geographical Indications Registration Act 2006, escalating any serious issues as appropriate.
• Be responsible for producing clear communications to support food recall notices and aid investigations.
• Conduct low-level compliance investigations.
• Be a key part of coordinating major Food Safety crisis events.

About You - Mōu

Our ideal candidate will have a solid knowledge of food safety, and will hold a tertiary qualification in Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Health or have equivalent industry experience.

In addition to the above, we are looking for a candidate with:

• Well-developed interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to wide ranging audiences.
• The ability to build and enhance successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven time management & prioritisation skills, with a focus on sequencing work based on critical food safety risks and using your sound judgement and decision making to triage and escalate food safety events.
• Excellent computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products and experience with a database system.
• A Food Science Qualification or experience in food safety knowledge from within the food industry is beneficial. 

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Food Compliance Services has a reputation as a high performing team, with a variety of technical skills and experience. A nationwide team, dedicated to food safety and strengthening the integrity of the food safety system, and contributing towards improving New Zealand's public health.

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 trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• 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 on Sunday 26th April 2026

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

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