DC Operations Manager Crawford St Dry

Fonterra; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 94,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Career growth support

Flexible/hybrid working where possible

Job summary

Fonterra is seeking a Distribution Centre (DC) Operations Manager to lead the Crawford Street Dry Stores DC team, ensuring safe, efficient and effective storage and transport to ports, other DCs or domestic customers.

Reporting to the Regional Supply Chain Manager Waikato, you’ll motivate your team, translate strategic direction, and drive operational excellence with a strong focus on safety and compliance. Travel across the North Island is required for training and meetings.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading teams and driving continuous improvements.
• Strong communication skills across all levels of the organisation.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and forecast plans.
• Experience coordinating complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and motivate teams to lift performance and drive a continuous improvement culture
• Long-term planning and strategy development
• Operational management of site annual budgets, forecasts and operating plans
• Ensuring product meets the requirements of the internal network (automation ready) and beyond
• Management – ensure site operates efficiently, following regulatory compliance and health and safety standards
• Inventory Management – accountable for stock control and inventory management
• Customer Focus - support development and maintenance of a culture that results in optimal customer satisfaction
• Internal and external stakeholders

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Tools

SAP

Workforce management

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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 Crawford Street Distribution Centre collects a third of all Fonterra’s dairy ingredients in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, distributing more than 33,000 containers of various products a year! Mō tēnei tūranga | About the Opportunity Reporting into our Regional Supply Chain Manager - Waikato, our Distribution Centre (DC) Operations Manager leads our Crawford Street Dry Stores DC team to ensure product is delivered safely, efficiently, and effectively stored and transported to ports, other DC’s or domestic customers. In this role you will motivate and inspire your team to ensure smooth operations, being responsible for operational best practice, ensuring Health & Safety guidelines are in place and leading from the frontline in regards to Fonterra’s values.

Key accountabilities include:

• Inspire and motivate teams to lift performance and drive a continuous improvement culture
• Long-term planning and strategy development
• Operational Management of site annual budgets , forecasts and operating plans
• Ensuring product meets the requirements of the internal network (automation ready) and beyond.
• Management – ensure site operates efficiently, following regulatory compliance and health and safety standards
• Inventory Management – accountable for stock control and inventory management
• Customer Focus - support development and maintenance of a culture that results in optimal customer satisfaction
• Internal and external stakeholders

As you will be part of the Waikato Distribution Leadership team and some travel will be required across the North Island for training and meetings. Mōu | About You Here at Fonterra, our people are at the forefront of our business, therefore most importantly we are seeking an experienced leader who can inspire, coach, mentor and develop our people to ensure best possible performance. You will also have the confidence to make meaningful decisions on the fly. A core focus of the position is to cascade and translate the strategic direction to the team and provide a connection to broader Fonterra & business strategies. Sound like you so far? A couple of other key attributes and skills that will help ensure your success include:

• Skilled at building collaborative teams; managing and measuring team deliverables
• Clear and confident communication skills with the ability to relate at all levels
• Strong commercial acumen and demonstrated experience managing a budget
• Experience in leading complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Proficient using SAP systems, workforce management systems and Microsoft Excel

If this sounds like you and you’re looking to further your career with Fonterra, we look forward to hearing 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 1st November 2026.