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Commercial Lead

Job Name
Commercial Lead

General Information

Date Published
15-Sep-2025
Advertising Ends
24-Sep-2025
ID#
13082
Role Type
Science & Technology
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland

Position Description

Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō
Imagine Tomorrow with Us
At Te Mātāpuna 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.

Feel connected here: Join an inclusive team, linked to land and each other. Tātou tātou.
Be inspired here: Help shape dairy’s future through innovation and care.
Grow here: Learn with support, build skills, and explore new opportunities.

He kupu mō mātou | About us
The world around us is changing rapidly. From the rise of biotechnology to the growing influence of generative AI, as the world population grows, the global demands for sustainable nutrition are rising. As our external environment gets increasingly complex and competitive, we too must evolve and challenge ourselves on how we can do things differently to be the source of the world’s most valued dairy. To remain competitive, relevant, and resilient, we must evolve – boldly and deliberately. 

As part of the evolution of Innovation & Brand, we are focused on ensuring we are set up to successfully innovate to drive our advantage, for the long term. We are keeping our sights on the long-term sustainability of the Co-op through bold moves in digital and innovation. 

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the opportunity
As the Commercial Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving a healthy breakthrough innovation portfolio by actively transforming commercial risks into new value chain opportunities through financial and new business model analyses.
 
Key Responsibilities include: 
  • Lead the validation of concepts by identifying critical viability assumptions, developing initial market sizing figures (TAM, SAM, SOM), and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities in collaboration with the Incubation Lead. 
  • Build robust unit economics for hypothesis-driven innovation solutions by leveraging insights from in-depth customer interviews to inform financial feasibility and market potential. 
  • Drive the development of commercial strategies and financial models that align with Fonterra’s investment thresholds, uncovering scalable pathways to launch breakthrough innovations while rigorously assessing customer data against financial models to mitigate viability risks. 
  • Champion decisive go/no-go recommendations by critically evaluating opportunities for commercial viability, ensuring resources are focused on initiatives with the highest potential for success. 
  • Forge impactful innovation and commercial partnerships with external collaborators, such as Third Party Manufacturers (TPMs), to unlock new pathways for value creation, accelerate market success, and strengthen Fonterra’s competitive edge. 

Mōu | About you
You’re a commercially minded innovator who thrives in early-stage concept development and strategic thinking.  You bring a hypothesis-driven approach to innovation, using data and interviews to build robust financial models and uncover scalable pathways to launch. Your ability to critically assess commercial viability and make decisive go/no-go recommendations ensures resources are focused on the most promising opportunities. 
You’re also a natural collaborator, skilled at forging impactful partnerships with stakeholders to accelerate market success and unlock new value streams. 

Your strategic mindset is matched by your ability to communicate clearly and influence across all levels of the business. You’re proactive, resilient, and comfortable navigating ambiguity. 

Ngā Uara | Our Values
At Fonterra, our values—Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts—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
  • Career development and mentoring
  • Flexible/hybrid working options
  • Parental leave support
  • Recognition and internal mobility pathway
To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

Ngā Mahi | A Career of Opportunities
At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, be inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, be 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 potential and growth.

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