Team Manager Cost Recovery Oversight

Team Manager - Cost Recovery Oversight

Role type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: General Salary Range C: $119,376 to $139,700 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

This newly created role is pivotal in sharpening our strategic oversight and cost recovery mechanisms across New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS). You will support the design and review of regulatory frameworks for fees, charges, and levies under key legislation, ensuring robust systems and processes that support financial integrity and operational excellence.

Working at the intersection of policy, finance, and regulatory operations, you'll partner with Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Corporate Services and NZFS teams to deliver practical, effective cost recovery solutions. This is a critical leadership position offering the opportunity to influence how cost recovery underpins the sustainability of food safety services in New Zealand.

As Team Manager, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight of cost recovery frameworks and performance, including expert advice on cost recovery regulatory instruments (fees, charges, levies) under key legislation such as the Food Act 2014, Animal Products Act 1999, and others.
• Oversee implementation of cost recovery mechanisms, ensuring accuracy, transparency, alignment with NZFS service delivery and compliance.
• Support the interface between NZFS budgets and memorandum accounts, maintaining financial integrity.
• Partner with MPI Corporate Services and NZFS teams to co-design practical, effective solutions.
• Lead reporting on cost-recovered services and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team, fostering engagement and capability.

This role is critical to ensuring cost recovery processes are fair, efficient, and aligned with regulatory and operational priorities.

About You - Mou

We're seeking someone who brings:

• Tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, or Business (Chartered Accountant desired).
• Proven experience in financial systems, cost/pricing modelling, and analysis.
• Strong understanding of cost recovery regulatory instruments and legislative frameworks.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to manage people and resources effectively.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

NZFS is dedicated to ensuring that food produced, sold, and exported is safe and suitable; trusted by everyone, everywhere. Their work spans the entire food system using science, risk-based regulation, and strong partnerships with Maori, industry, and consumers.

NZFS supports public health, protects consumers, and upholds New Zealand's global reputation for high-quality safe food. The group also plays a vital role in international trade and prepares for new challenges to keep our food safe now and in the future.

Working closely with our colleagues across the Corporate Services business unit, you will be responsible for ensuring adequate and robust support is provided to NZFS business units.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu 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.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

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 Manatu 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 midnight on 26 November 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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