Job Name
Asset Lead - Waitoa
General Information
Date Published
21-May-2026
Advertising Ends
14-Jun-2026
ID#
15563
Role Type
Manufacturing
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
On-site
Country
New Zealand
Location
Hamilton & North Waikato
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
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 nutritional ingredient manufacturers, processing up to 2.3m litres of milk every day and producing 60,000 tonnes of milk powders annually.
About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga
The D3 Asset Lead provides hands-on leadership, mentoring and coaching to enable the achievement of the site strategy and world class standards in health and safety, food safety and quality, employee engagement, asset management, continuous improvement, sustainability and customer service.
The D3 Asset Lead is responsible for managing the effective deployment of the asset care programme and performance. They must ensure that the planned maintenance programme, plus the response or reactive work, is executed in the most effective way possible.
As a member of the Leadership team, the D3 Asset Lead plays an integral role in the strategic direction setting, leadership and delivery of the overall site strategies and contributes to the performance of D3.
- Lead daily asset care and maintenance prioritisation.
- Lead and actively drive eRTT(Problem solving focussed on plant stability and reliability) processes across the department.
- Drive root cause problem-solving for chronic losses.
- Create and manage the plant's maintenance plan.
- Coach teams in defect handling and reliability practices.
- Define and maintain equipment base conditions standards.
- Support the Plant Manager with day-to-day tasks.
- Assist in upholding validation requirements in manufacturing operations.
- This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is passionate about asset care, reliability and continuous improvement.
About You | Mōu
You will bring valuable experience in a similar role.
Additional skills we are looking for:
- Proven experience in asset care and reliability improvement.
- A strong understanding of engineering principles and lean manufacturing.
- The ability to lead teams and coach others in maintenance practices.
- Strong communication skills.
- Experience in planning woudl be highly regarded.
- Experience in managing risk, cost and compliance.
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 Sunday 14 June 2026
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