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Programme Manager (On Farm Performance)

General Information

Date Published
29-Oct-2025
Advertising Ends
12-Nov-2025
ID#
13646
Role Type
Strategy & Project 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 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.

He kupu mō mātou | About us

We love kiwi dairy farmers and think they’re pretty awesome. For generations they have relied on hard work, ingenuity, and each other, to create the kind of goodness that fuels our families, connects our communities and supports our economy.

At Farm Source, our team is driven by the same co-operative spirit that our farmers and their communities share. We make farming easier so farmers can continue to concentrate on what they do best - producing high quality New Zealand milk in the most sustainable way.

This means growing and supporting the right people - people with plenty of roll-your-sleeves up energy to rise to the challenge. Whether you’re on the farm getting your gumboots dirty or connecting over a coffee at our local stores, you’ll be getting the mahi done as part of a trusted team - backed by good people, the right products, innovative solutions, and industry-leading expertise.

So why not join us? Our regional structure and openness to flexible working means that there really is something for everyone. No matter your age or stage, our inclusive culture has created a place where everyone can thrive

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the Opportunity

Know farming inside out? Ready to make a bigger impact?

If you’re a vet, rural consultant, nutritionist, or someone who’s spent years working alongside farmers — and you’re ready to take that experience further — this role could be your next step.

We’re not looking for a career programme manager. We’re after someone who understands what drives farm performance because they’ve lived it. Someone who’s built trust with farmers, knows what matters on-farm, and wants to help shape the tools and services that support their success.

This is a role with real autonomy — where your insights guide strategy, and your decisions shape delivery. You’ll have the flexibility to work in a way that suits your lifestyle, and the freedom to lead with purpose.

What you’ll be doing

  • Leading the development of Farm Source tools and services that improve farm performance
  • Working with farmers, rural professionals, and our field teams to embed these services into daily operations
  • Helping us measure what’s working — and what’s not — so we can keep improving
  • Managing budgets and resources to make sure we’re investing where it counts
  • Building strong relationships across the industry and championing farmer success

Mōu | About You

You’ve spent years working alongside farmers — as a vet, consultant, nutritionist, or rural advisor — and you know what drives performance on-farm. You’ve built trust, solved problems, and helped farmers succeed.

You might not call yourself a programme manager, but you’ve led change, coordinated teams, and turned good ideas into action. You’re curious, collaborative, and ready to step into a role where your practical experience becomes strategic impact.

Ideally, you’ll have:

  • 10–15 years in agriculture, preferably dairy
  • A relevant tertiary qualification
  • Strong communication skills and a knack for building relationships
  • Leadership potential and a drive to keep improving
  • A veterinary background is a bonus
  • Most importantly, you care about farming’s future — and you’re ready to help shape it.

We’re serious about supporting on-farm performance and sustainability — and we know that starts with people who understand farming from the ground up. At Fonterra, you’ll find:
  • Flexible working arrangements that support your lifestyle
  • Autonomy to lead and make decisions that matter
  • A team that values your experience and backs your growth

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 Te Mātāpuna 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 12 November