• Rewarding role working in the agricultural sector
• Build key relationships and positively influence the industry
• Christchurch-based role

The Company

The New Zealand Pork Industry Board is the statutory industry board that works to support New Zealand’s commercial pig farmers. The organisation works to build a sustainable and profitable future for the New Zealand pork industry.

Based from the Christchurch head office, NZ Pork represents commercial pig farmers across the country by promoting the reputation of the industry and advocating in their interests. Recent key focuses have included animal welfare, biosecurity environmental regulation and country of origin labelling.

NZ Pork is made up of a small team of nine people, passionate about supporting New Zealand pork producers build a sustainable future alongside high standards of farming and food production.

The Role

Please note that this is a full-time role, based in Christchurch.

The purpose of the Policy and Issues Manager role is to advise and assist in the development of NZ Pork’s policy and issues strategies in the areas of market sustainability, animal welfare, biosecurity, environment, food safety, animal health and workforce.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role will be responsible for keeping abreast of policy and issues both domestically and internationally in order to positively influence industry stakeholders.

Building strong working relationships with a range of people, including pig farmers, government officials and elected representatives, is key to the success of the role. In addition, the Policy and Issues Manager will be required to undertake presentations and demonstrate a thorough ‘gate to plate’ understanding of the industry and how it operates.

Finally, the Policy and Issues Manager will liaise with other advisers to ensure compliance the Pork Industry Board Act 1997 and other associated pieces of legislation.

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will most likely have a background as a Policy Adviser and will have exposure to the agricultural sector and either animal welfare, animal health, biosecurity or food safety disciplines.  In addition to this experience, the candidate will have:

• A relevant undergraduate degree or an equivalent level of qualification or experience is essential;
• Experience with central government process and policy, including the interpretation of new or revised policy;
• An understanding of NZ food, retail landscape and supply chain;
• Sound commercial acumen combined with an understanding of agricultural economics;
• Demonstrable experience with stakeholder engagement, including with government, industry representatives and supply chain partners;
• A track record of building trusted, long-term relationships, both internally and externally;
• Well-developed written skills for general communication, key messaging and report writing (including board reports); 
• The ability to work effectively in a role that tends to be reactive;
• Knowledge of NZ Pig Farming or wider Pork industry is desirable but not essential.

Culture

When you walk into the NZ Pork office, you notice a friendly, relaxed and fun environment.  Anyone that is lucky enough to join this team will feel at home right from the start. 

While the technical skills listed are important, the person must be a good fit for the NZ Pork team.  With only nine people selected to be part of this special team, the successful candidate must be upbeat, driven to succeed and enjoy engaging with their colleagues to positively contribute to the NZ Pork culture. 

Benefits

The successful candidate will enjoy a range of benefits working for NZ Pork.  A competitive base salary, Koru membership and a wellness benefit make up the remuneration package.   

Aside from this, you will work with a small and close-knit team who enjoy having fun and laughing together.  The Chief Executive’s style of leadership is based on trust and collaboration and he is an inclusive and accommodating employer. 

Engaging with farmers and supporting the Pork industry as a whole, provides opportunities for helping people and giving back to communities which fosters a feeling of satisfaction.