Site Operations Manager - Clandeboye

About Fonterra and the Role

Fonterra Te Mātāpuna fosters a workplace culture where authenticity and diversity are valued. As a leading global dairy cooperative owned by New Zealand farmers, Fonterra is dedicated to collaboration, care, and making a positive impact for future generations. The Clandeboye site stands as Fonterra's largest manufacturing facility, processing up to 13 million litres of milk daily across ten plants, and employing more than 1,200 people from diverse skill backgrounds.

We are seeking a highly experienced and accomplished senior manufacturing leader to serve as the Site Operations Manager. This pivotal role involves overseeing one of the company’s most significant and complex manufacturing hubs, which produces multiple product streams. The role demands leadership in ensuring exceptional safety standards, product quality, people management, customer satisfaction, asset optimization, and financial results.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive and sustain world-class safety, quality, operational efficiency, and financial outcomes.
• Lead and mentor a robust, high-performing workforce by demonstrating strong and visible leadership.
• Steer strategic initiatives, transformation programs, and continuous improvement efforts to elevate site performance.
• Optimize utilization of site assets, operational capability, and capital investments.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with customers, local communities, and other key stakeholders.
• Promote a culture built on accountability, safety, and operational excellence throughout the site.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned operational leader with comprehensive experience managing large-scale manufacturing or industrial facilities, preferably in food processing or dairy sectors. Success in the role requires proven expertise leading tiered senior leadership teams and a deep appreciation for high-risk work environments. The candidate must be adept at balancing operational risk with commercial objectives and people leadership.

Attributes and experience sought include:

• Extensive senior leadership in large-scale manufacturing or processing environments.
• Successful track record managing complex operations with multiple leadership layers.
• Consistent delivery of excellence in safety, quality, operational performance, financial management, and workforce outcomes.
• Proficiency overseeing substantial operational budgets, asset bases, and capital projects.
• Experience in driving organizational change, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and influence capabilities at different organizational levels and externally.
• Strategic and commercial acuity to balance immediate business needs with long-term goals.

Company Values and Commitment

At Fonterra, the core values "Good Together," "Better Every Day," and "Every Drop Counts" guide collective efforts. The company embraces inclusive practices and values diversity across all demographics and identities. The organization prioritizes equity in pay and invests in employee well-being, professional development, recognition, and work-life balance, including flexible and hybrid work options where possible. Community engagement and cultural connection support are also integral to the employee experience.

Additional Information

Applications are welcome from all individuals, regardless of background or experience level. The company encourages those who may not meet every qualification but demonstrate potential to apply. Accommodation for accessibility needs during the recruitment process is assured.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 23rd August 2026.