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HR Manager, Eltham

General Information

Date Published
25-Jun-2026
Advertising Ends
12-Jul-2026
ID#
15964
Role Type
HR
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
On-site
Country
New Zealand
Location
Taranaki

Position Description

About Lactalis-Mainland Dairy
Mainland Dairy, the business formerly known as Fonterra’s global Consumer and associated businesses, is now part of the Lactalis Group and known as Lactalis-Mainland Dairy. 
Lactalis is a French family-owned business founded in Laval in 1933. Today, it is the world’s leading dairy group, present in 50 countries employing around 85,500 people. It is home to some of the world’s best known global and international dairy brands, including Président, Galbani and Parmalat.

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is a team of more than 4,300 employees, operating 16 manufacturing sites across Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. We make well-loved brands including Anchor, Fresh ‘n’ Fruity and Mainland. 

Our passionate and talented team is committed to nurturing the future, unlocking new opportunities, and fostering innovation in nutrition and food.

The Opportunity 
We are looking for a passionate and experienced HR Manager to lead HR delivery at our Eltham site. This is a key role partnering closely with site leadership to build a safe, engaged and high-performing workforce.

You’ll be embedded on-site, developing strong relationships with leaders and employees while delivering practical, commercially focused HR solutions aligned to business strategy.

Reporting to the Site Manager, with a dotted line to the Head of Industrial & Supply Chain HR, your key responsibilities include: 

  • Deliver end-to-end HR support across workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, talent, engagement, culture, change management and employee relations.
  • Partner with site and business leaders to drive capability building, engagement, culture and change initiatives.
  • Lead management of ER matters, including investigations, disciplinary processes, grievances and resolution pathways.
  • Manage compliance obligations, workforce risk management and support local industrial relations activity (e.g., consultation, union engagement as required).
  • Coach and upskill leaders on people management, performance conversations, organisational effectiveness and change leadership.
  • Monitor and analyse people metrics to identify trends and implement actions to improve workforce outcomes. 
  • Collaborate with Health and Safety to support safety leadership and compliance.

Located on Bridge Street in Eltham, South Taranaki, this site has been operating since 1919 and is one of New Zealand’s oldest cheese producers. Using locally sourced milk, the site annually produces approximately 2,500 metric tonnes of award-winning speciality cheeses for domestic and international markets under well-known brands including Mainland and Kāpiti.

You’ll be part of a team that’s passionate, resilient and supportive with a strong sense of ownership and pride in what we make.

About You 
You’re a pragmatic and influential HR professional who thrives in a site-based operational environment and enjoys being close to the business. 

  • Proven generalist HR experience in manufacturing, logistics, FMCG or similar environments, with strong employee relations expertise.
  • Sound understanding of employment legislation and industrial relations, with the ability to manage complex ER matters end-to-end.
  • Demonstrated capability across recruitment, workforce planning, performance, and talent development.
  • Experience delivering cyclical HR processes such as performance and remuneration reviews.
  • Strong business partnering skills, with the ability to coach, influence and support leaders at all levels.
  • Analytical and solutions-focused, able to interpret workforce data and translate insights into action.
  • Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
  • Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business or related discipline (or equivalent experience).

We value people who are passionate, ambitious, and keen to grow, whether you’re ready to step up or looking to deepen your expertise.

What We Offer
  • Competitive pay and benefits
  • Career development and internal opportunities across a global business
  • A team focused workplace in a fantastic culture where your work has real impact
  • A strong commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability.

Our Commitment
Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, or ability.

Let’s make this your best move yet. Apply now! 

About Lactalis-Mainland Dairy

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is a global consumer business with 4,300 employees, a portfolio of iconic dairy brands, and an exciting dairy future. Formerly Fonterra’s Global Consumer and associated businesses, our brands are well known across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East and Africa. We bring together much loved brands including Western Star, Perfect Italiano, Mainland, Anchor, Anlene, Anmum and Fernleaf - along with new career opportunities that offer unique exposure in a dynamic and evolving industry. As we become part of Lactalis, and as you navigate around our careers site, you may still see references to, or branding from, Fonterra. This is a normal part of the transition as we progressively move to our own dedicated platforms and websites. We appreciate your patience and understanding and hope this does not cause any confusion. We’re excited by the future and it’s the perfect time to help us create it.