ZIWI Limited is recognised as a leading pet nutrition company and is setting the standard globally using only NZ locally sourced natural and free-range ingredients. We have a passionate and dedicated team who are incredibly proud of the products we make and love sharing them globally.

The role

We’re seeking an experienced FSQ Leader who combines technical depth with a people-first mindset — someone who can both navigate complex international regulatory landscapes and inspire a team to do their best work. This is not just any leadership role — it’s an opportunity to shape the safety, integrity, and excellence of everything we do at ZIWI. As the General Manager of Food Safety, Quality & Compliance, you will lead the strategic direction and day-to-day execution of ZIWI’s quality and compliance programs across all our global operations.

You will work closely with senior leadership and collaborate across departments from Manufacturing to R&D to Procurement, weaving quality and compliance into the fabric of our operations. Whether it’s managing audits, driving continuous improvement in our QMS, or ensuring readiness for global certifications, you will lead with a steady hand and a sharp eye.

The ideal candidate will bring at least a decade of experience in food manufacturing, with five or more years in a senior leadership capacity. A strong understanding of export-focused quality systems and international standards like HACCP, MPI, and FDA is essential.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership and direction to the Quality & Compliance team across all manufacturing sites.
• Maintain and continuously improve ZIWI’s Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring alignment with export regulations and international food safety standards (e.g., HACCP).
• Oversee internal and external audit programs, including preparation, execution, and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with domestic and international regulatory bodies, including MPI (NZ), FDA (US), EU, and others as required for ZIWI’s export markets.
• Lead global certification and registration activities for new products and markets.
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies related to food safety, compliance, and product integrity.
• Report on key quality metrics to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, providing data-driven insights

Key requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in food manufacturing with at least 5 years in a senior quality/compliance leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in managing quality systems within an export-focused environment.
• Proven leadership experience with a track record of building and developing strong teams.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a dynamic business with a global footprint. Our K.I.W.I values of Kindness (Manaaki), Integrity (Pono) Will (Pūkeke) and Ingenuity (Auahatanga) ensure that we are an organisation where you can feel that you are respected, surrounded with honesty and hardworking kaimahi with the support to grow and develop. If that sounds like a place where you can see your skills and experience will be valued, we encourage you to apply now!

All applicants must have current NZ residency or a valid work visa to apply for this role.