Deployment Lead - Base Automation

- 24 month fixed term
- Flexible NZ location
- National deployment and travel

Imagine Tomorrow with Us | Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves.
Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution.
Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.
About us | He kupu mō mātou Our manufacturing network is among the most complex and asset intensive in the country, transforming milk into high value products that are exported to over 130 markets.
Automation and control systems are fundamental to how we operate safely, efficiently and reliably. Across our manufacturing sites, control systems enable continuous, high volume production while meeting strict quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements As we continue to modernise our manufacturing network, we are focused on lifting reliability, reducing risk, strengthening cyber resilience, and ensuring our technology investments deliver long term value.
About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga At Fonterra, we’re investing in Base Automation, a major operational technology transformation programme that is standardising and modernising automation capabilities across our manufacturing network. Through the deployment of proven solutions such as recipe management, alarm management, and Silo and CIP automation, Base Automation will help our sites operate more safely, consistently and effectively for years to come We’re looking for experienced project delivery professionals to lead complex site deployments and translate the programme’s strategy into successful outcomes on the ground.
This is primarily a project delivery role. You’ll bring strong project management capability, supported by a practical understanding of automation and control systems to confidently coordinate technical delivery, engage specialists and work effectively within a manufacturing environment.
You’ll bring together people, technology, operations and change to deliver a repeatable deployment model across our manufacturing sites. You'll be at the forefront of a programme that touches every part of the business, partnering with people at all levels from Plant Managers and senior leaders through to engineers, control systems engineers and frontline operators. As an Deployment Lead for Base Automation you will take ownership of deployment activities at site level, leading the planning, coordination and execution of complex automation initiatives . You’ll work closely with site leaders and operational teams to build readiness, support adoption, navigate people and operational change, and embed sustainable outcomes beyond go-live. You'll work within a national Base Automation programme that spans multiple years and sites, helping translate programme strategy into successful on-the-ground delivery. Reporting to the General Manager of Automation and Operational Technology, you'll partner with site leaders, technical specialists and programme teams to deliver outcomes across the network. Every site presents unique challenges and opportunities, meaning no two deployments will be the same.
This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, can confidently navigate competing priorities and knows how to build alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. What you'll be doing:
- Leading end-to-end Base Automation deployment delivery at assigned manufacturing sites
- Developing and managing integrated deployment plans, schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies and milestones
- Coordinating technical, operational and people-change activities to support successful implementation
- Partnering with site leadership and operational teams to build readiness, alignment and adoption
- Working closely with automation specialists, engineers, vendors and programme teams to coordinate delivery
- Managing deployment issues and competing priorities while maintaining clarity, pace and quality
- Supporting transition, go-live and the embedding of sustainable outcomes at site level
- Providing clear deployment reporting, escalation and visibility to programme and site stakeholders
- Capturing lessons learned and helping improve the deployment approach as the programme scales

About You | Mōu You'll be an experienced project delivery professional who is comfortable working in industrial or technically complex environments. You may have developed your career in manufacturing, engineering, operational technology or automation, but your core strength will be leading structured delivery, building alignment across stakeholders, and turning programme strategy into successful site outcomes. What you will bring:

- Significant experience delivering large-scale projects or programmes in industrial, manufacturing, engineering, operational technology or similarly complex environments
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability, with confidence engaging at all organisational levels
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, technical specialists and delivery partners
- The ability to translate technical requirements into clear delivery plans and stakeholder actions
- Experience navigating ambiguity and driving outcomes in evolving programmes
- An understanding of automation, operational technology, control systems or manufacturing operations
- The ability to balance technical considerations with operational realities
- Excellent planning, coordination and problem-solving skills
- A calm, resilient approach and a willingness to roll up your sleeves when required
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to manufacturing sites across New Zealand
This is a rare opportunity to be involved in a transformation programme of genuine scale and significance.
Over the next several years, you'll help deliver automation improvements across Fonterra's manufacturing network, influencing how our sites operate today and into the future. You'll work alongside experienced programme leaders, automation specialists and operational teams while building a breadth of exposure that few roles can offer.
We're flexible on location across New Zealand and focused on finding great people. In return, you'll enjoy the chance to make a visible impact, work with a wide range of stakeholders, and be part of a programme helping shape the future of manufacturing at Fonterra.
If you're an experienced project delivery professional who enjoys working where technology, operations and people come together, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Values | Ngā Aura At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone – no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz (https://values.fonterra.com/?utm_source=internal+job+ad&utm_medium=job+ad&utm_campaign=imagine+tomorrow&utm_term=&utm_content=values)
Our Commitment to You | Tā mātou oati We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:
- Fair and equitable pay
- Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
- Professional development opportunities
- Career growth support
- Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
- Employee recognition
- Support for community involvement and cultural connection
To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers (https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/careers.html?utm_campaign=talentacquisition&utm_medium=jobad&utm_source=fonterracareers)
A Career of Opportunities | Ngā Mahi At Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.
Join Us | Tātou Tātou Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together.
You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.
Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion | He Wāhi mō te Katoa Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions).
Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value your potential and growth.
If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tātou, tātou.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 18th October