At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we’re a New Zealand Co-operative powered by people. From engineers and scientists to technicians, operators, analysts, graduates and apprentices, our people come together to help create goodness for generations.
A career with us is about more than just a job. It’s an opportunity to be part of a purpose-driven organisation that connects New Zealand’s dairy industry with communities around the world. Every day, our people help solve real-world challenges, drive innovation, and contribute to producing high-quality nutrition enjoyed by millions.
Inspired by the values of Aotearoa New Zealand and the connection between people, land and communities, we’re committed to creating a workplace where people can thrive, grow and make a meaningful impact.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for your next challenge, you’ll find opportunities to learn, develop and explore different pathways across a diverse range of disciplines. From engineering, manufacturing, sustainability and food science to digital technology, supply chain, finance and corporate functions, there are countless ways to contribute and grow.
At Fonterra, you’ll work alongside talented people, industry partners, researchers, educators and innovators who are shaping the future of dairy. You’ll gain exposure to world-class operations, cutting-edge technology and meaningful projects that make a difference both locally and globally.
Imagine a place where you belong. A place where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your work contributes to something bigger than yourself.
When you join Fonterra, you’re opening yourself up to a career full of possibilities.
Imagine Tomorrow. Āta whakaarohia tō āpōpō.
You, me, us together. Tātou Tātou.
Early Careers
Find your future flavour at Fonterra Te Mātāpuna – where your skills and ambitions can thrive. Every day, we’re shaping what’s next to create a better tomorrow for our land, our people, and the careers of those who join us.
With hundreds of opportunities across diverse fields, imagine the possibilities your tomorrow could hold here.
Your career starts here! Explore career pathways, hear from our people, and take the first step towards shaping your future with us. Whatever your interest or passion is, we have a range of different early career opportunities, including graduate programmes, internships and apprenticeships.
Through real-world experience, structured rotations, and dedicated mentorship, you’ll build the technical expertise, commercial acumen, and leadership capability needed to thrive in a fast-moving global co-operative.
Specialist Streams
Build deep expertise in Engineering, Finance, Agribusiness, or Data/AI through four rotations over two years.
You’ll strengthen your technical capability, gain exposure across the wider business, and complete a co-designed rotation that sets you up for your permanent role — all while developing the leadership skills to help you thrive.
Engineering, Finance, Agribusiness, Data/AI
Sales & Trading Stream
Step into the commercial heart of our co-operative with placements across Global Ingredients and Foodservice.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in areas like portfolio planning, sales operations, commodity risk and trading, and customer engagement, while developing strong commercial and leadership capability — with a guaranteed first role at the end of the programme.
Step into our Technical stream, where curious minds grow into future technical leaders.
Fast-track your technical career by completing your Masters of Dairy Science and Technology in Year 1, combining advanced study with real on-site experience. In Year 2, you’ll complete two six-month rotations, including one in Operations, building deep technical expertise and practical capability to help shape the future of dairy.
As a Summer Intern at Fonterra Te Mātāpuna you can put your university learning into practice.
Through hands‑on, meaningful work while gaining real experience — all while being supported to grow, develop and thrive.
Whether you’re solving practical challenges, working alongside our farmers, or contributing to world‑class innovation, an internship at Fonterra is your opportunity to start making something of your career.
Summer Internship
Our Summer internship programme is designed to give you a hands-on experience of Fonterra.
Our summer internship includes opportunities in Supply Chain, Accounting & Finance, IT & Data, Technical Engineering and Sustainability.
Kickstart your Fonterra career with our R&D Summer Internship Programme. Use your university knowledge and gain first-hand experience with real R&D projects at our world class research centre in Palmerston North.
Our Research & Development Internship runs for up to 14 weeks over the summer. You’ll take ownership of your project and get to work with industry leaders as you get to solve practical problems using your science related knowledge.
We are looking for STEM students studying towards a bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemical and process engineering, chemical and materials engineering, food engineering, chemistry, physics, food technology, food science and dairy science.
Agribusiness Internship
Our Agribusiness Summer Internship is designed to give you hands-on experience of Farm Source.
The programme will see you connecting with our farmers in store, on farm and challenging your skills in project management. This programme offers unique exposure to the agribusiness sector across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Applications will reopen later this year. Click below to register your interest.
Learning, developing, growing and thriving while immersing yourself in a place with a proud history, and a truly exciting future. Work for, get paid by, and learn from, an employer who supports you through your apprenticeship.
As an apprentice, you work for, get paid by, and learn from an employer who supports you through your apprenticeship to gain a Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in your chosen apprenticeship area.
Mechanical
Gain a NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Maintenance focus).
Work in a varied role across multiple aspects of maintenance engineering while qualifying and building towards a role as a Fitter or Maintenance Technician.
Heavy Automotive
Gain a NZ Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Diesel/Auto Electrical focus) and your Class 5 License.
Form part of the Fleet Services Workshop where we maintain and service dairy milk tankers across the season.
Electrical
Gain a NZ Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Industrial focus) and a full practicing license
Work closely with our qualified Electricians taking an Industrial focus to build your electrical engineering capability to becoming a licensed NZ electrician.
Te Mātāpuna toa takitini. At Fonterra, our strength lies in our collective team of 18,000 employees worldwide. Joining us means becoming part of a unique history and contributing to the dairy industry’s future for generations. Your career here is boundless, allowing you to grow, develop skills, share knowledge, and pursue various career paths aligned with your interests.
Early Careers are pivotal in fulfilling our co–operative’s long-term goals, bringing innovation, fresh ideas, and diversity to sustain our legacy for generations to come. You’ll find long-term career prospects, increased earning potential, and international opportunities, all while contributing to solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Join us and be a part of our promising journey.
You, me, us together Tātou, tātou.
Our Culture
Our success is driven by its talented and diverse people who are empowered to bring their best selves to work.
As a co–operative formed by over 8,000 farming families, we have witnessed the incredible power of collaboration. Our farmers form the core of our co–operative, and we collaborate with them through a partnership approach. We actively promote and support farmers in adopting sound management practices, striving for continuous improvement in profitability, environmental sustainability, and resilience.
Our organisation is composed of everyday good people who unite to make a positive impact through dairy. This encompasses the land we steward and the communities and individuals our products serve. We are deeply passionate about achieving remarkable feats with dairy.
Like all entities, we are on a journey, one shaped by our history, future vision, purpose, and values.
Perks and Benefits
We provide competitive compensation and a variety of perks, regardless of your role or location.
Flexibility
We prioritise flexibility, enabling you to balance work and personal life to ensure the job gets done while being there for life’s important moments.
Career Opportunities
Joining Fonterra means embarking on a career, not just securing a job. With a global presence, endless opportunities await you.
Wellbeing
We are committed to your overall health and wellness, fostering a better you. Our annual calendar features fantastic wellbeing events, including those focused on mental health, fitness/nutrition, and financial wellness. We also offer substantial discounts on wellbeing products.
Learning & Study Assistance
No matter your role, we encourage continuous learning and skill development, providing support to enhance your abilities.
Discounted Insurance
We extend various insurance discounts based on your employment type and location.
Leave Options
We offer diverse leave options to accommodate everyone, regardless of your life stage. This includes opportunities to purchase extra leave, enhanced parental leave benefits, and long service leave.
Our Brands and Markets
In New Zealand, we take pride in presenting a variety of well-known brands, including Anchor, Anmum, De Winkel, Farm Source, Fresh ‘n Fruity, Kāpiti, Mainland, Mammoth, Perfect Italiano, and Primo.
Our products are meticulously created using reliable processes and the highest-quality natural dairy ingredients. Additionally, we play a significant role as a trusted partner to leading global food industry players through our foodservice division, Anchor Food Professionals, as well as our business-to-business (B2B) ingredients ventures, NZMP and Nutiani.
The goodness of our dairy can be found in all four corners of the globe, from New Zealand to Australia, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and North Asia, and over to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Some of our key markets include New Zealand, China, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
As a co–operative of farming families, we believe in the power of collective action to make a positive impact. We work in partnership with organisations throughout New Zealand to provide quality nutrition to those in need, promote environmental conservation for future generations, and offer support to our communities.
Our Hero Programs and Partnerships include:
KickStart Breakfast:
This initiative has provided over 60 million breakfasts to nearly 1,400 schools, ensuring children have a good start to their day. Learn more
Feeding New Zealand Communities
In collaboration with Feed Out and New Zealand Food Network, we support efforts to address food security issues in local communities.
Supporting Mental Health & Wellbeing in Rural Communities
We partner with Rural Support Trust, offering assistance to farmers and rural communities for various challenges, including adverse events and mental health support. Learn more
Hapori
Through Hapori, meaning community and kinship, we aim to make a positive impact in regional communities by fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.
Sustainable Catchments
We empower farmers, manufacturing sites, and local communities to improve water quality and regenerate nature in their areas.
Farm Source Charitable Giving
Our Farm Source Reward Dollars can be donated to support four charities close to our co–operative, including Feed Out, New Zealand Food Network, The Rural Support Trust, and Trees That Count, furthering our commitment to community and environmental well-being. Learn more
Discover the unique spirit of New Zealand dairy farming, where land, people, co–operation, and candoattitude come together to create world-class products.
Join us for a farm to plate journey and find out how we dairy.
Sustainability
Our core commitment lies in creating lasting value for future generations. We are dedicated to producing dairy nutrition with a profound care for people, animals, and the environment, while also benefiting communities. In New Zealand, independent assessments are conducted annually on each supplying farm, evaluating against a comprehensive protocol that includes essential criteria and forward-looking considerations.
A major focus for us is minimising their environmental impact, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farm production systems. These emissions, mainly generated by cows, constitute a significant portion of their overall carbon footprint.
Our dedication to sustainable practices and responsible farming reflects their commitment to long-term value, environmental stewardship, and supporting the well-being of all involved in their operations.
We love Kiwi dairy farmers and know they’re pretty awesome. For generations, they have relied on hard work, ingenuity, and each other to create the kind of goodness that fuels our families, connects our communities, and supports our economy.
At Farm Source, the same co-operative spirit that our farmers and their communities share drive our team. We make farming easier so farmers can continue to concentrate on what they do best – producing high-quality New Zealand milk in the most sustainable way. This means growing and supporting the right people – smart people with plenty of ‘roll-your-sleeves up’ energy to rise to the challenge. Whether you’re on the farm getting your gumboots dirty or connecting over a coffee at our local stores, you’ll get the mahi done as part of a trusted team – backed by good people, the right products, innovative solutions, and industry-leading expertise.
So why not join us? Whether you’re on the farm getting your gumboots dirty or connecting over a coffee at our local stores, you’ll be getting the mahi done as part of a trusted team.
We place a strong emphasis on animal welfare, particularly the well-being of cows, recognising their central role in dairy farming. The proper care of cows significantly impacts milk production, which is a source of pride for every farmer. We are dedicated to being a responsible animal management and strives for ongoing enhancements in animal welfare. We adhere to the ‘Five Domains’ framework to promote positive experiences for animals and eliminate practices that violate the ‘Five Freedoms’ principles.
Our domains encompass:
Freedom from hunger and thirst (Nutrition)
Freedom from discomfort (Environment)
Freedom from pain, injury, and disease (Health)
Freedom to express natural behavior (Behavior)
Freedom from fear and distress (Mental State)
We collaborate with farmers to meet globally recognised standards, working towards animal welfare excellence. As part of the Dairy Tomorrow Strategy, we aim to lead the global dairy sector in animal care. Our animal welfare responsibility extends to all our global operations, ensuring consistent good welfare practices among our milk suppliers. We share best practices globally, assess animal welfare, and demand continuous improvement from our supply chain, with non-compliant farmers unable to supply milk to Fonterra.
All current job openings are listed on our careers page. So, start by visiting our official website here.
Browse through the available positions and select the one that aligns with your skills and interests.
Once you’ve found the job, click the ‘Apply’ button to initiate the application process.
During the application, we’ll ask you some initial questions tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Provide accurate and thoughtful responses.
Make sure to have your CV or resume on hand as you’ll be required to upload it.
Review your application details for accuracy, then click ‘Submit’ to send your application to us.
After submitting your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates on your application status, as we may contact you for further information or interviews if your qualifications align with our needs.
Application and Interview Tips
To improve your chances of success in the Fonterra application and interview process, follow these tips:
Before applying, thoroughly research Fonterra’s values, culture, and the specific role you’re interested in. Tailor your application to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the company’s mission and the job requirements.
Ensure your CV is up to date, well- organised, and highlights relevant experience. Be concise but detailed, showcasing accomplishments that directly relate to the position you’re applying for.
Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you’re a perfect fit for Fonterra and the specific role. Emphasise your enthusiasm for the company’s mission and values.
In interviews, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method torespond to questionsPrepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview about the role, the team, and Fonterra’s culture to demonstrate your genuine interest.
Highlight your commitment to diversity, inclusionandHealth Safety, as these values are important to Fonterra.
Familiarise yourself with Fonterra’s sustainability initiatives and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these efforts.
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We are a staunch advocate of equal opportunities, dedicated to attracting, nurturing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce while fostering an inclusive culture.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is rooted in the belief that it is not only the right thing to do, but also essential for our strategy, living our purpose and values, and our engagement in the communities and markets where we operate.
We actively measure and report our progress, supporting our diverse team through various formal and informal initiatives. Our unwavering aim is to achieve global diversity and inclusion objectives, creating workplaces where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, every day, and perform at their best.
We strongly believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity.
This belief is essential to our success, aligns with our values, and guides how we interact with our stakeholders. We regularly track and report on our progress in this area, and we support our employees’ diversity through various programs and partnerships likeTuputoa . We are committed to achieving our global diversity and inclusion goals, and we strive to foster a culture where everyone feels comfortable being their true selves.
STEM
We value the power of STEM education and will unlock a world of opportunities through a variety of programmes designed to kickstart your career.
We offer a range of opportunities for STEM students. Our Engineering, Technical (FGTP), and Data & AI Graduate programmes are jam-packed with learning and development experiences, taking graduates around Aotearoa, New Zealand, and providing a robust transition from university to work. You will gain hands-on experience at our manufacturing sites, learn from industry experts, and apply your knowledge to real-value projects. For those seeking real-world experience through internships, STEM students can work with industry leaders to solve the most complex practical problems using their STEM-related knowledge at our Research & Development Centre and manufacturing sites nationwide.
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Awards
Events
Fonterra Apprenticeship Webinar
Hear stories and insights from Fonterra's Apprentices
July 31, 2024 -
December 31, 2030 |
Free
Fonterra is a global dairy nutrition company, proudly owned by farming families. Delve into their recent Fonterra’s Apprenticeship Webinar, with stories and insights from dedicated apprentices across various trades. Discover their experiences, challenges, and the triumphs from their apprenticeship programs.
