About us

Oritain is the global leader in product verification, with locations in Dunedin, Auckland, Singapore, London, and in the USA.

At Oritain, we use forensic science to prove the origin of products — bringing transparency and accountability to global supply chains across cotton, leather, wool, red meat, timber, and more. Every sample that moves through our Dunedin laboratory plays a role in that mission: helping brands, governments, and consumers trust what they're told about where products come from.

We are not simply looking for a technical expert. We are looking for someone who has demonstrated success leading teams to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes in a laboratory environment. This role requires proven experience in both people leadership and operational management, with the ability to build capability, drive performance, and uphold the highest standards of quality, compliance, and scientific integrity.

You will have a proven track record of directly managing and developing staff, conducting performance and development reviews, planning and prioritising workloads, delivering coaching and training, and leading process improvement initiatives. You will be a confident and capable leader who can motivate teams, foster accountability, and create a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

About the role

As Team Leader – Extraction, you'll lead the day-to-day operations of a skilled team within our ISO 17025-accredited Central Dunedin laboratory. Your team's precision is what makes our science possible, and your leadership is what makes your team thrive.

This is a role for someone who takes quality personally — not just as a process requirement, but as a point of pride.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the Extraction Team to consistently deliver accurate, high-quality sample preparations

• Oversee daily workflows, ensuring efficiency, coordination, and on-time delivery across the laboratory

• Uphold Oritain’s rigorous quality standards, protocols, and ISO 17025 compliance requirements

• Drive continuous improvement in processes, accuracy, and turnaround times

• Collaborate with internal teams to support overall laboratory performance and service delivery

About You

You're a hands-on leader with a genuine commitment to quality and a clear understanding of what high-precision laboratory work demands. You know how to get the best from a team — through coaching, clear communication, and by setting the standard yourself.

You bring:

• You must have proven leadership or supervisory experience in a laboratory environment

• Strong attention to detail and a deep commitment to accuracy, quality and compliance

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and adapt in a fast-paced setting

• Clear, confident communication – and the ability to motivate and align a team around shared goals

What We Offer

• A leadership role within an ISO 17025-accredited, globally respected laboratory

• Meaningful work that contributes directly to supply chain transparency and sustainability

• A supportive, collaborative, and quality-driven team environment

• A competitive salary and genuinely meaningful benefits

If you want your leadership to mean something beyond the laboratory walls, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please note: This role has been re-listed. We respectfully ask that candidates who have previously applied not to submit a further application at this time.

If you have sound demonstrated leadership experience and a strong background in laboratory operations, we encourage you to apply today. While we are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive organisation we are only able to consider applications from individuals who currently live in New Zealand and already have the legal right to work here. Please note that any offer of employment would be conditional upon Oritain obtaining satisfactory references and background checks. These will be undertaken by Oritain, information service providers, and third-party agencies of the Company’s choice.