QA Team Lead

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Zespri is seeking a QA Team Lead to guide one of three QA Assessor teams in Mount Maunganui, coordinating audits and quality outcomes in a fast-paced seasonal setting. You’ll work with Quality, Technical, Packaging and harvest teams, coach Assessors, and optimize resourcing and workload planning while driving improvement through audit data and corrective actions. Key criteria include a full NZ driver’s licence, strong audit and compliance experience, knowledge of GlobalG.A.P./GFSI standards, and understanding of fresh produce handling and MPI Phytosanitary, plus proven leadership and communication skills. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight leadership, audit successes, cross-functional collaboration, and safety focus; mention Phyto QA if relevant and confirm onsite availability. Applications close 25 February 2026.

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world’s single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand’s best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.  

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

We’re looking for a QA Team Lead to provide leadership and management of the day-to-day operations of one of three QA Assessor teams within the Zespri Global Quality Team. In this role, you’ll coordinate audit delivery, support quality and compliance outcomes across the industry, and lead a high-performing team of Quality Assessors and Product Assessors through a fast-paced seasonal environment.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead and coordinate a QA Assessor team to deliver audit programmes efficiently and effectively across product quality, cool stores and compliance requirements.
• Partner closely with Quality, Technical, Packaging, Fruit Performance, and Pre‑ and Post‑Harvest teams to resolve quality and compliance issues.
• Act as a key contact point for industry quality teams, escalating and communicating issues across Zespri Global Quality, Technical and Supply Chain teams.
• Ensure Quality and Product Assessors are approved, competent, safety‑focused and operating in line with Zespri systems and Health & Safety requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement through audit data analysis, corrective action management, annual QA procedure reviews, and collaboration with Internal Audit and CI teams.
• Optimise team resourcing, facility allocation and workload planning to ensure efficient coverage across the network.
• Lead capability and performance development through coaching, 1:1s, performance reviews, training sign‑offs, KPIs and development planning.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring confident people leadership, strong audit/compliance capability, and the ability to build trusted relationships across Zespri teams and industry partners — especially when things get busy. 

You will also meet the following selection criteria:

• Full NZ Driver’s Licence (mandatory)
• Zespri Phyto QA experience (strongly desirable)
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and compliance standards (e.g. GlobalG.A.P., GFSI/BRC).
• Understanding of fresh produce handling, storage, and export regulatory requirements (including MPI Phytosanitary).
• Experience with audit and compliance programmes.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated people leadership experience.
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build trusted working relationships across teams and industry.
• Sound judgement and consistent decision making.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and time management skills.
• High standards of integrity and professionalism.

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 900+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of being personally connected, results-driven, and committed to guardianship. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.  

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.
• Convenient Mount Maunganui office location, with free onsite parking.
• Your daily dose of Vitamin C with free kiwifruit!

Tono mai inaianei! Apply Now! Applications close Wednesday 25th February 2026

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at [email protected].