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Innovation Project Manager

General Information

Date Published
18-Feb-2026
Advertising Ends
03-Mar-2026
ID#
14893
Role Type
Strategy & Project Management
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland

Position Description

Iconic dairy brands, exciting dairy future!
Mainland Dairy is entering a bold, new chapter. Evolving from our roots with Fonterra, we are set to become a part of the Lactalis Group, the world’s largest dairy company known for its firm belief in the future of dairy and rapid, consumer-driven growth.    

We’re looking for highly skilled and knowledgeable people who are energised by the opportunity, a change that is projected for the first quarter of 2026 (pending sale completion) but starting as soon as the right person is identified and available.   

At Mainland Dairy, we believe that from Goodness comes Greatness, and we’re excited by our future. Come join us and help shape a consumer-focused future to be proud of.  

About the Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high impact innovation role at a time of significant change, where you’ll lead complex, business critical projects that shape the future of Mainland Dairy. Working in a small, trusted and fast moving team, you’ll own programmes end to end and operate confidently at the intersection of technical detail, commercial outcomes and senior stakeholder influence. You will:

  • Lead medium to large innovation, capital and transition projects from early feasibility through to full commercialisation, delivering outcomes at pace and scale  
  • Own one to two programmes at any given time, building momentum and seeing initiatives through end to end in a dynamic, evolving environment
  • Translate complex technical and operational concepts into clear, practical and commercially sound decisions that stand up to senior scrutiny
  • Engage regularly with Managing Directors and global stakeholders, confidently challenging assumptions and driving alignment across markets, functions and factories
  • Shape the future direction of growth platforms and portfolios, working across manufacturing, technical, commercial and in market teams to unlock value

About You
You’re a confident, credible project leader who thrives in complex, high stakes environments and stays composed under pressure. With a strong technical mindset and sharp commercial instincts, you’re energised by ambiguity, challenge and the opportunity to turn big ideas into tangible results. In addition, you will have:

  • A background in innovation, technical operations, engineering, or a closely related discipline, with the ability to quickly grasp complex manufacturing and technical concepts
  • Proven experience leading large, cross functional projects end to end, ideally within FMCG, innovation, capital or transformation environments
  • The confidence and maturity to engage, influence and push back with very senior stakeholders using sound judgement and evidence based reasoning
  • Strong project management capability, with experience managing risk, pace, governance and competing priorities in fast moving settings
  • A proactive, self sufficient mindset - you take ownership, ask the right questions, and drive outcomes rather than waiting for direction

Be Part of Dairy’s Future
Great people continue to power this business forward. Our people thrive within a positive working environment, a collaborative and caring culture and leadership that continues to inspire.  

Based at our Fanshawe Street office, this role offers excellent career development and internal mobility pathways as well as flexible ways of working and a hybrid structure, that allows you the balance of in-office collaboration and working from home to suit your lifestyle. 

We believe in you bringing your best and most authentic self to work and we want you to succeed in a way that allows you to win, in every aspect of your life. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, as well as individuals of diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Our team is dedicated to supporting your professional development and personal wellbeing.   

We look forward to the possibility of you joining our inclusive team.  

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

Please note that applicants must have full working rights for New Zealand to be considered. 

We are politely declining recruitment agency support and approaches for this role.  

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