Principal Adviser Food Risk Management

Principal Adviser Food Risk Management

Role type: Permanent

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salary Range B $138,938 to $162,716 depending on skills and experience.

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As Principal Adviser Food Risk Management, you'll be at the heart of New Zealand Food Safety's Food Risk Management directorate, providing high-level strategic advice and leadership across the food regulation, emerging risk, readiness and response, and food compliance functions. You'll work closely with the Director and senior leaders to drive initiatives that ensure our food safety system is agile, resilient, and ready to respond to challenges.

In this role you will:

• Lead and advise on projects that enhance food safety outcomes.
• Provide timely, high-quality advice to the Director and senior stakeholders.
• Champion collaboration across the Food Risk Management directorate and NZFS to align work programmes.
• Build strong relationships across MPI, government and industry to support system-wide resilience.
• Demonstrate a high degree of agility in a dynamic environment, confidently prioritising work and adapting to shifting demands.
• Understand what matters most—identifying risks early and managing them effectively to protect the reputation of the directorate and MPI.
• Be a key player in food incident responses, including leadership roles under the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS).
• Act for the Director as needed, including attending senior level engagements and ensure continuity of leadership.

About You - Mōu

You will be a strategic thinker with a passion for public health and food safety. You will demonstrate a high degree of agility, thrive in complex environments, and enjoy leading initiatives that make a real impact. You will bring:

• Proven experience in strategic advisory roles, ideally within government or regulatory environments.
• Strong understanding of food safety systems, public health, or risk management.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to navigate complex issues and deliver pragmatic, evidence-based solutions.
• Leadership capability and a collaborative mindset.

Join New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) and help protect the health of New Zealanders while supporting our thriving food sector.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Food Risk Management directorate sets regulations and guides the implementation of standards for food production, processing, importing, and exporting. We also protect public health and maintain confidence in the safety and suitability of food through identification, assessment, and management of potential food safety risks.

This is a great opportunity to be part of meaningful work that supports food safety and the integrity of New Zealand's Primary Industries.

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.

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

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

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

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this 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.

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 Wednesday 5 November.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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