Team Manager Horticulture Exports

About the role

This permanent, full‑time position provides senior leadership within the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to safeguard and grow New Zealand's horticulture export market. The role focuses on plant health and food safety, ensuring that export programmes meet the increasingly complex import requirements of international markets.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance of export standards and assurance programmes aligned with importing country requirements and international obligations.
• Support market access for New Zealand horticultural exports, including participation in bilateral negotiations.
• Provide technical and policy advice on export matters to senior leaders, Ministers and the Director‑General.
• Oversee the plant export assurance system, managing MPI‑approved participants and ensuring system integrity.
• Build and maintain relationships across MPI, industry, and international partners to achieve export outcomes.
• Drive strategic improvement programmes related to export assurance and market access.
• Contribute to business planning, performance reporting and resource management within the Plant Exports function.
• Manage team performance, development and wellbeing, ensuring effective leadership of a multidisciplinary team.

Required profile

• 5–10 years of relevant experience in plant health, food safety or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven ability to navigate complex international trade and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong leadership and people‑management capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills for engagement with government, industry and international stakeholders.

Required skills

• Plant health expertise (pests and diseases).
• Food safety knowledge.
• Export standards development.
• Regulatory compliance and risk assessment.
• Export assurance system management.