General Manager Operations - UNI - Hamilton & North Waikato - 15322 - Fonterra

Job Name

General Manager Operations- Upper North Island

General Information

Date Published

27-Mar-2026

Advertising Ends

12-Apr-2026

ID#

15322

Role Type

General Management

Work Type

Permanent Full-Time

Workplace Type

Hybrid

Country

New Zealand

Location

Hamilton & North Waikato

Position Description

Our Co-operative

Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō | Imagine Tomorrow with Us

At Fonterra, 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.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the Opportunity

New Zealand Manufacturing (NZM) is progressing a deliberate reset of its operating model to strengthen leadership, clarify accountability, and ensure we can manage the scale and complexity of our manufacturing system now and into the future.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the NZ Manufacturing leadership team in a pivotal senior leadership position of General Manager Operations - Upper North Island (UNI).

The GM Operations – UNI holds end-to-end responsibility for a large, geographically dispersed manufacturing portfolio, operating in a 24/7 environment and encompassing critical assets, significant production volumes, and a substantial workforce. The role is accountable for operational performance, food safety and quality, asset reliability, cost outcomes, and regulatory compliance across the region.

You will lead regional and NZM strategy, execution of the annual and 5-Year business plans, and play an active role in delivering NZM’s strategic and transformation priorities. The role requires strong operational judgement, commercial discipline, and the ability to lead consistently across multiple sites, leadership layers and collaborate enterprise wide across broader functions.

Key accountabilities will include:

Overall accountability for food safety, product quality, regulatory and environmental compliance across all UNI sites.
Ownership of the regional risk profile, including Health & Safety, FSQR, environmental compliance, operational continuity, and critical asset risk.
Driving sustained improvement in throughput, yield, energy efficiency, reliability, and cost performance.
Representing manufacturing priorities within the end‑to‑end value chain, working with senior stakeholders to support effective decision‑making.
Leading and supporting organisational, cultural, and operating model change across the region, aligned to NZM’s transformation programme.
Building and developing a capable senior leadership team, with clear accountability, succession planning, and a focus on leadership effectiveness.

Mōu | About You

You are an experienced senior operations leader with a track record of leading large‑scale manufacturing environments and delivering safe, reliable, and commercially sound outcomes.

You will bring:

Extensive experience leading complex, 24/7 manufacturing operations, with strong Health & Safety, food safety, and quality performance.
Proven commercial capability, including management of large P&Ls and sound operational decision‑making.
Strong technical understanding of asset care, reliability, and critical risk management.
Experience leading organisational and cultural transformation in complex operating environments.
The ability to work effectively with senior and executive stakeholders to deliver shared outcomes.
A people‑centred leadership style, with experience building capable senior teams and strengthening leadership depth across dispersed operations.

Ngā Aura | Our Values

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

Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You

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

Ngā Mahi | A Career of Opportunities

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.

Tātou Tātou | Join Us

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.

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

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 Sunday 12th April

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General Manager Operations - UNI

General Information

Position Description