Job Description

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.

Your Role

Lead and develop the team responsible for LIC's Diagnostics laboratory systems, ensuring operational excellence while driving technical capability, continuous improvement and modernisation.

As Diagnostics Systems Team Lead, you'll lead a team of four technical specialists responsible for the systems and applications supporting our GeneMark and Animal Health laboratories. Reporting to the Principal Technologist - Diagnostics, you'll play a key role in ensuring our critical laboratory systems remain reliable, secure and effective in meeting the needs of the Diagnostics business.

This is an opportunity to combine people leadership with technical expertise, translating Technology strategy into practical improvements, strengthening team capability and supporting the adoption of modern technologies.

Your work will directly contribute to the services and insights that help New Zealand dairy farmers make informed decisions every day.

At LIC, what we do matters. Our technology plays a vital role in supporting farmers, improving herd performance and strengthening one of New Zealand's most important industries. It's a role where your leadership can make a genuine impact, both within our business and across the wider dairy sector.

Your Key Focus

• Lead, mentor and develop the Diagnostics Systems team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, accountability and high performance.
• Partner with the Principal Technologist and key stakeholders to plan and deliver Diagnostics technology initiatives aligned with LIC's wider Technology strategy and business priorities.
• Ensure GeneMark and Animal Health laboratory systems remain reliable, secure, compliant and fit for purpose through effective maintenance, performance management and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external Technology partners to support the delivery of system enhancements, testing and implementation of changes to laboratory systems and applications.
• Monitor and report on laboratory systems performance, proactively identifying and managing technology risks, including technical debt, legacy system vulnerabilities, obsolescence and service continuity.
• Strengthen the team's technical capability through coaching, knowledge sharing, effective documentation, training and adoption of modern technologies and engineering practices.
• Apply systems and solutions thinking to identify opportunities, evaluate technical options and deliver practical, sustainable improvements to laboratory systems and processes.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience leading technical teams and supporting business-critical systems.
• Strong systems thinking, process analysis and solution design capabilities, with the ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions.
• Sound technical knowledge of applications, databases, systems integration and modern technologies.
• The ability to balance technical leadership, operational priorities and continuous improvement in a complex environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, coaching and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to developing others.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Exposure to Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), such as LabWare, and knowledge of ISO 17025 would be advantageous.

In Return

In addition to a competitive salary, you'll receive extra leave days, flexible working options, discounted health, life, income and disability insurances, access to our employee shares scheme, wellbeing discounts, free onsite parking, an employee assistance programme, plus more!

At LIC, technology isn't just supporting a business, it's helping power an industry. Every improvement you make, every capability you strengthen and every system you modernise contributes to the success of New Zealand dairy farming.

If you're an experienced technology leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex challenges and delivering meaningful outcomes, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the technology that supports farmers, animals and the future of New Zealand's dairy sector.