Job Name
Lead Estimator
General Information
Date Published
21-Jul-2025
Advertising Ends
04-Aug-2025
ID#
9695
Role Type
Engineering
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland, Canterbury, Hamilton & North Waikato, Taupo & Southern Waikato
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.
He kupu mō mātou | About us
Our Capital Projects team delivers one of New Zealand’s largest and most diverse capital programs with hundreds of projects delivered each year. Working alongside some of New Zealand’s smartest and most reliable companies the team delivers end to end projects across dairy manufacturing, logistics, energy, water and wastewater, buildings, and asset care. With investment value from one hundred thousand to over one hundred million dollars, there is opportunity abound for all project professionals to deliver value for our Co-operative.
Mō tēnei tūranga | About the opportunity
Are you a skilled estimator with a passion for driving impactful projects? Do you want to be part of a global organisation dedicated to delivering exceptional results while fostering inclusion and sustainability? Join our team as our Capital Projects Lead Estimator and help shape the future of New Zealand's dairy industry in an inclusive and supportive environment.
This isn't your standard Estimation role, we are looking for someone whose communication is second to none, and is able to coach our wider teams, on all things Estimation and the importance it plays in our success. Our strategic capital projects programme is valued at over $700M annually.
This role can be based in Auckland, Hamilton or Christchurch.
Key accountabilities include:
- Lead and manage the development of detailed estimates for capital projects, ensuring accuracy and alignment with our project objectives.
- Contribute your expertise to feasibility studies, design evaluation and financial planning.
- Collaborate across engineering, procurement and project management teams to ensure project success.
- Stay at the forefront of industry trends and practices, continuously improving estimation processes.
- Delivering quality training materials and the effective coaching of our people to build their estimation understanding and competency.
Mōu | About you
To excel in this role, you'll bring expertise in cost estimation and project management paired with a hands-on approach to collaboration and analysis within the Capital Project space.
Your ability to build strong relationships, solve complex problems and drive financial accuracy will make you an asset to our Whanau. We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates with varied experiences to apply.
This role requires solid experience and a good understanding of complex, high-value capital projects within New Zealand's construction industry.
What you will bring to us:
- A relevant tertiary qualification in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Construction Management.
- Significant experience in project management, cost estimation, and financial analysis within a large-scale engineering environment.
- Proficiency in estimation software and tools, including advanced Excel skills.
- A strong understanding of engineering and estimating principles, construction methods, and project lifecycles.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to convey complex financial/cost information clearly.
- High level thinker with the ability to see the big picture and the ability to prioritize and deal with important details.
Ngā Uara | Our Values
We live our values every day—Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts. They are for everyone and guide how we show up for each other, our farmers, and our communities.
Take our Values Quiz to reflect on how your values align with ours. Click here
Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You
We’re committed to helping you grow, empowering you to be your best self, and encouraging you to contribute and learn. You’ll find support through:
- Career development and mentoring
- Recognition and internal mobility pathways
- A safe, inclusive environment where you can thrive
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)
- Parental leave support
- Employee recognition
- Support for community involvement and cultural connection
To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers
Applications close Monday 04 August 2025
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.
