About this role
LIC is a farmer-owned co-operative that’s been supporting herd improvement in New Zealand’s dairy sector for more than 115 years. We’re focused on providing superior genetics, reliable testing and diagnostics, integrated on-farm software, and great customer service, all designed to help farmers make smarter decisions every day.
As a proud generational co-operative, we’re here for farmers, their families, and rural communities, not just for today, but for the future. And none of it happens without our people. Whether on farm, in the lab, or behind the scenes, every one of us plays a part in helping New Zealand farmers succeed.
About the Job:
At LIC, what we do every day helps farmers build sustainable, profitable and productive dairy businesses. Herd Testing plays a critical role in delivering the data and insights our farmers rely on to make informed decisions, and we're looking for a senior quality and technical assurance leader to help ensure our systems, processes and outputs remain trusted, robust and fit for purpose.
Reporting to the National Herd Testing Manager and sitting on the Herd Testing Leadership Team, this newly established role will lead quality management, technical assurance, validation and regulatory compliance across the Herd Testing business.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys combining quality leadership with deep technical thinking. You'll work across operational, laboratory, statistical and technical disciplines to develop process understanding, strengthen assurance frameworks, manage compliance requirements and provide confidence in the performance of critical Herd Testing processes.
You'll play a key role in advancing Herd Testing's quality, validation and assurance capability as we continue to strengthen confidence in the systems and processes that support New Zealand dairy farmers.
Your Key Focus:
As Technical Quality and Validation Manager, you'll be responsible for:
- Lead and continuously improve the Herd Testing Quality Management System.
- Ensure compliance with NZS 8100, ISO 9001 and other relevant quality and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain validation, verification and technical assurance frameworks across critical business processes.
- Improve understanding of process performance, capability, uncertainty and sources of variation.
- Identify risks, critical controls and opportunities to improve confidence in system performance.
- Coordinate certification, audit and compliance activities.
- Provide independent technical advice and assurance to leaders across the business.
- Partner with operational, laboratory and technical specialists to strengthen system performance and organisational capability.
About You
You'll bring a strong blend of quality leadership, technical rigour and stakeholder influence. You're naturally curious, enjoy understanding how systems work, and thrive on turning complex technical information into practical business improvements.
To be successful in this role, you'll have:
- A tertiary qualification in science, engineering, agriculture, quality, technology or a related discipline.
- Significant experience leading Quality Management Systems within regulated, accredited or quality-critical environments, including the application of management-system frameworks such as ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, GMP or equivalent standards.
- Proven experience owning and improving Quality Management Systems, including audit, corrective action, certification and compliance activities.
- Demonstrated expertise in process validation, technical assurance, process capability assessment, and the application of statistical methods and measurement uncertainty principles.
- The ability to challenge assumptions, analyse evidence and make sound technical recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility across a wide variety of stakeholders.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and a passion for continuous improvement.
In Return:
In addition to a competitive salary, you'll receive some great benefits including:
- Extra leave days
- Flexible working options
- Discounted health, life, income and disability insurances
- Access to our employee shares scheme
If you're an experienced quality and technical leader who enjoys combining systems thinking, scientific rigour and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help strengthen the quality, performance and assurance of one of New Zealand's most important agricultural information systems.