Our Co-operative

Fonterra’s strength is in the collective | Te Mātāpuna toa takitini

We are a Co-operative created and owned by Aotearoa New Zealand dairy farmers. Since our beginnings, 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 New Zealand 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 | He kupu mō mātou

Located in the heart of the Waikato, Fonterra’s Waitoa site is a long-established powder plant with cutting edge technology. Waitoa is one of Fonterra’s leading infant formula and nutritional ingredient manufacturers. The site has four powder plants, with the largest producing 15 tonnes of whole milk powder every hour.

About the opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

 Do you love to try new foods and beverages and are interested in part time work? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you to join our team as a Sensory Panellist at our Waitoa site on a permanent part-time basis.

As a Sensory Panellist at our Waitoa site, you’ll be working alongside a team of Sensory Panellists to taste dairy and dairy-derived food samples. You’ll use your excellent sensory abilities to detect specified attributes within the products (flavour, aroma, texture and appearance) and then confidently communicate what you perceive and enter that data into our system. You may also need to perform tests such as ranking samples on particular attributes or comparing a sample to a reference product.

This exciting and unusual role will see you work just two hours a day.  After a five month initial training period, when you will be required to work from 12.30pm - 2.30pm (Monday to Friday), including school holidays but not statutory days. You will then become a member of our Taste Testing Panel and will be required to work from 9.15am to 11.15am (Monday to Friday).

About you | Mōu 

A great Sensory Panellist needs to have exceptional sensory ability so you can accurately pick up what others can’t.

To be successful in this role you will also need:

• No allergies, intolerances, or food related health issues
• To be willing to try a wide range of products
• Strong communication skills
• Basic computer skills 

Are you excited about this opportunity but may only meet some requirements?

At Fonterra, we are committed to building a diverse workplace and, therefore, open to looking at applicants with excellent transferable skills. If that's you, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or one of our other opportunities.

Or join our Talent Community by clicking here to be notified about new and relevant job opportunities.

The benefits of life at Fonterra | Ngā painga o te mahi ki Fonterra

Our people and what they bring to our Co-op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We also offer competitive remuneration and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location.

To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

Our story | Ō mātou kōrero

Being part of Fonterra means being part of a unique history, realising the potential of dairy for generations to come, and solving for a better future together.

Our Co-operative is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.

Sound good to you? Come join our whānau and let’s solve for better, together. You, me, us together. Tᾱtou tᾱtou.