Pilot Plant Processing Engineering Manager

Job Name

General Information

Date Published

25-May-2026

Advertising Ends

01-Jun-2026

ID#

15553

Role Type

Science & Technology

Work Type

Permanent Full-Time

Workplace Type

On-site

Country

New Zealand

Location

Manawatu

Position Description

Imagine Tomorrow with Us | Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō

At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves.

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution.

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

About us | He kupu mō mātou

We believe nutritious food is essential to sustain people today, and for future generations to thrive, which is why we challenge ourselves to find new ways to bring our dairy goodness to people around the world. In Palmerston North at the Fonterra Research Development Centre (FRDC), we’ve been innovating in dairy for almost 100 years.

The FRDC is based in Palmerston North and home to a highly collegial team of scientists, technologists, and engineers – many of whom are the world’s leading experts in dairy science with a key purpose to deliver sustainable value through innovative product and technology development to derive the best value from NZ milk.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

We have an exciting opportunity for a Pilot Plant Processing Engineering Manager – Efficiency and Utilisation to join our Pilot Plant team on a permanent basis at our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North.

In this role you will have the opportunity to lead Fonterra’s R&D pilot plant processing capability in Palmerston North, ensuring safe, compliant and reliable operations while delivering high quality pilot trials that de risk and accelerate scale up to commercial manufacture. You’ll provide senior processing engineering expertise, partner closely with researchers and manufacturing, and lead two pilot plant teams to enable faster learning and stronger commercial outcomes.

Key role responsibilities include:

Lead safe, compliant and reliable day-to-day operation of R&D pilot plant facilities (aligned to Fonterra standards and regulatory requirements).
Plan and execute pilot plant work with strong process discipline, risk management and safety leadership.
Maintain pilot plant readiness and availability; prioritise demand across a broad R&D portfolio with clear governance.
Partner with asset management/maintenance/capital delivery to ensure equipment reliability, preventative maintenance and fit-for-purpose capability.
Act as the senior processing engineering authority—providing expert process design support and troubleshooting.
Ensure pilot trials are technically robust, repeatable and generate high-quality learning to support commercialisation decisions.
Lead, coach and develop two pilot plant teams; build capability, clear expectations and a continuous improvement culture.
Establish effective ways of working with R&D (intake, prioritisation, scheduling and decision rights) and collaborate with manufacturing to transition from pilot to commercial scale.
Drive audit/compliance readiness, proactively manage operational/technical/people risks, and lead continuous improvement using data and learnings

About You | Mōu

You’re a processing engineering leader with strong plant-based safety and operational discipline, ideally from dairy/food manufacturing and/or pilot plant or R&D environments. You bring proven people leadership (including leading through others), can balance competing priorities with clear governance, and collaborate effectively with researchers and manufacturing to deliver technically robust, repeatable trials that accelerate commercial outcomes.

To be successful you will also bring:

Degree qualification in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Food
Engineering, or a related discipline.
Significant experience in processing engineering, ideally within dairy or food
manufacturing environments.
Proven experience leading pilot plant, process, or manufacturing operations in a complex industrial or R&D environment.
Strong processing engineering expertise, with hands-on experience in process design, pilot trials, troubleshooting, and scale-up.
A strong commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence, with the ability to lead by example.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing technical or operational teams.
Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across R&D, manufacturing, maintenance, and project teams.
A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk, and lift plant capability and performance.

Our Values | Ngā Aura

At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone – no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz

Our Commitment to You | Tā mātou oati

We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:

Fair and equitable pay
Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
Professional development opportunities
Career growth support
Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
Employee recognition
Support for community involvement and cultural connection

To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

A Career of Opportunities | Ngā Mahi

At Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.

Join Us | Tātou Tātou

Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together.

You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.

Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion | He Wāhi mō te Katoa

Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions).

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value your potential and growth.

If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tātou, tātou.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 01st of June.

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General Information

Position Description