We are Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy nutrition companies. Here in Australia, we collect milk from Aussie Farmers across Victoria and Tasmania, and our manufacturing sites turn this into the dairy foods you know and love in our supermarkets, including Perfect Italiano™, Mainland™, Western Star™, and Bega™. We also sell dairy ingredients to many of the world's leading food companies and partner with food services businesses across the country to get dairy foods into chefs' hands.   

As a Co-operative created and owned by New Zealand dairy farmers, our collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved here in Australia and around the world. 

As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.  

When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions. 

About us

Fonterra Oceania is looking for an experienced and committed Area Manager - People Specialist to join our team in Northern Tasmania. Farm Source is the face of Fonterra Oceania in the regional communities we operate in, and we work closely with our Farmers to provide high-quality on-farm support. If you have a strong background in dairy or agricultural operations and a passion for fostering valuable long-term relationships, this role offers an excellent opportunity to create real impact in the dairy industry.

About the opportunity

As our Farm Source Area Manager – People Specialist, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the relationship with Fonterra Australia’s suppliers, providing generalist HR, employee relations and on farm safety expertise and in doing so, making Fonterra the processor of choice.

This autonomous role will see you managing your time effectively as you travel regionally within Tasmania, working closely with farmers to identify individual needs and challenges, then bring to life the tools, services and support we can offer to help enable positive business outcomes and retain a strong milk supply for Fonterra. Key responsibilities:

• Establish strong value adding relationships with farmers through understanding their specific needs and wants to best develop their farming business and increase profitability
• Provide professional advice and support to our farmers on a range of workforce matters including (but not limited to), recruitment and talent management, remuneration, on boarding, payroll support and performance development
• Provide strategic and operational advice on policies, procedures, and legislation
• Manage relevant reporting and analysis
• Develop and execute strategies to optimise supplier operations

About You

With a strong knowledge of the dairy industry and a proven track record in a related industry professional role, you’ll have strong relationship building skills, sound commercial acumen, and be able to confidently communicate Fonterra’s strategy, performance and value proposition to our farmers and the wider community.

To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills and experience:

• A proven background in on-farm consulting, agri-business experience or service provider support
• Competence in using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Prior background within human resources, on farm safety, share farming/lease agreements or a closely related field will be highly regarded
• Understanding of key financial and physical drivers to farm business performance and profitability
• Great local community knowledge, and understanding of the area
• A current driver’s license is required for this role