Senior Commercial Optimization Manager - Dairy

Overview

This role offers a significant opportunity to transform how dairy milk value is assessed and integrated into the business models at Goodman Fielder, with a focus on increasing profitability and manufacturing efficiency primarily in dairy exports, alongside support for domestic markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and refine milk valuation frameworks to enhance product mix, optimize customer allocation, and improve commercial returns.
• Identify and execute strategies to maximize commercial output from the milk stream, adjusting product mixes, channels, market strategies, manufacturing allocation, and overall commercial approaches.
• Lead comprehensive dairy optimization efforts, aiming to boost milk value, profitability, and utilization of production assets.
• Collaborate closely with departments such as Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to align business decisions and strategies.
• Critically evaluate current practices through data analytics, scenario planning, and commercial insight to unveil new growth opportunities.
• Manage the commercial assessment of expansion projects, investment opportunities, and manufacturing enhancements.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of initiatives focused on value creation, while monitoring their delivery and financial impact.
• Incorporate analytics, automation, and AI tools to support enhanced decision-making and elevate business outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Essential experience in the dairy industry with a strong commercial business partnership approach.
• A formal degree in Commerce or Finance paired with certifications such as CA, CPA, CIMA, or an MBA.
• Extensive senior experience in commercial finance, analytics, or business partnering in a manufacturing context.
• Proficient in advanced financial modeling, problem-solving, and analytics, especially with Excel and ERP systems like SAP.
• Ability to challenge traditional thinking, influence senior leaders, and communicate complex analyses clearly and effectively.
• A growth-oriented mindset demonstrated by successful change management, relationship building, and achieving commercial objectives.
• Strong collaboration skills to motivate cross-functional teams and encourage collective progress.
• Previous exposure to costing and operational finance is advantageous.

About Goodman Fielder

Goodman Fielder is dedicated to enhancing daily food experiences with a portfolio of leading New Zealand food brands spanning dairy, bakery, and ingredients. As part of the global Wilmar group, the company blends vast international reach with locally impactful operations, emphasizing continuous improvement and innovative solutions to deliver customer and business value.

Benefits

• Opportunity to influence strategic decisions alongside senior leadership.
• Ability to create tangible improvements in profitability, productivity, and overall business performance.
• Comprehensive career growth through exposure across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and international dairy sectors.
• Engagement in a supportive team environment that encourages fresh ideas, open challenge, and shared success.
• Be part of advancing innovation, leveraging data and technology to unlock new opportunities.