Ocean Freight Manager

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 Global Supply Chain connects Fonterra products with customers and markets around the world. Within Logistics, our ocean freight team helps move export volumes reliably through a complex and fast-changing global shipping environment.
About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga
We have a permanent opportunity for an Ocean Freight Manager, based in Auckland or Hamilton.
Reporting to the GM Logistics and leading two Ocean Freight Analysts, you’ll own Fonterra’s operational relationship with Kotahi. As the key interface between the two organisations, you’ll build a strong partnership, set clear expectations and ensure service commitments are delivered.
Blending relationship management, operations and commercial thinking, you’ll work across Fonterra and Kotahi to manage capacity, resolve disruptions and improve customer outcomes.
Key areas of focus include:
- Leading the day-to-day relationship and service governance with Kotahi.
- Holding partners accountable for service levels, export requirements and DIFOT performance.
- Working with Logistics Planning to align vessel capacity, equipment and routing with demand.
- Managing freight disruptions and communicating risks, delays and solutions clearly.
- Representing customer and New Zealand landside needs in sourcing and network decisions.
- Identifying opportunities to improve service, resilience and cost performance.

About You | Mōu
You’ll be an experienced relationship manager who understands ocean freight and can confidently connect operational detail with the bigger commercial picture.
Ideally, you’ll bring:
- Experience in ocean freight, freight forwarding, logistics or supply chain.
- Strong account, supplier or service-provider relationship management experience.
- Knowledge of shipping networks, capacity, equipment, bookings and transit risks.
- The confidence to influence, challenge constructively and hold partners accountable.
- A calm, practical approach to disruption and competing priorities.
- Sound commercial judgement and a focus on customer outcomes.
- This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys building trusted partnerships, solving complex freight challenges and influencing outcomes across a global supply chain.

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 15th November 2026