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Business Improvement Lead - Whareroa

General Information

Date Published
19-Jun-2026
Advertising Ends
28-Jun-2026
ID#
15678
Role Type
Strategy & Project Management
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
On-site
Country
New Zealand
Location
Taranaki

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
Whareroa is one of our largest sites. Along with a 7-hectare distribution centre and over 1000 employees, our site boasts a total of 11 plants which includes four milk powder plants, two cheese plants, a cream plant, a anhydrous milk fat plant plus a whey protein and casein plant. We have the capability to process an impressive 12 million litres of milk per day in peak season.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga
 We are looking for a Business Improvement Lead to join our Whareroa manufacturing site where you will facilitate our journey of manufacturing processes optimisation and operational excellence. In this unique role, you will make a tangible difference and gain the satisfaction of knowing you are helping shape, facilitate, coach and embed our focused improvement strategies.

You will be responsible for leading, planning, communicating, influencing and managing overall business improvement, change management and facilitating improvement initiatives. This will take the form of specific projects as well as improvements of BAU processes, all of which will support the achievement of a continuous improvement culture.

Reporting to the Business Improvement Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for improvement initiatives and create an environment for successful change. You will engage with internal stakeholders to bring together the collective site and individual department areas to form accountability, put in place clear measurements and provide regular progress updates to maintain momentum and achieve the objectives. 

This is a unique opportunity for you make a real difference at our Whareroa manufacturing site, unlock potential and drive a continuous improvement culture, imbedding systems & tools to optimise productivity and meet business improvement targets. You will get exposure to business planning and strategy as well as  play a pivotal role in a positive leadership change and influence through modelling of Fonterra’s values.         

About You | Mōu
We are looking for a driven and results-oriented leader who has a passion for driving continuous improvement and change. We want to hear from you if you have: 

- Proven leadership, programme management and continuous improvement experience
- Strong commercial acumen and strategic agility
- Structured problem-solving experience ideally working with Operational Excellence/ Lean manufacturing methodologies
- Demonstrated stakeholder management skills including ability to engage, motivate and facilitate teams to drive change and achieve results
- Excellent influencing, organisational and communication skills
- A tertiary qualification in a Food, Technology or Engineering or technical discipline would be beneficial, but not required. 

If this sounds like you and you are keen to progress your career with Fonterra’s largest Co-Op, apply now! 

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 28th June 2026