AI Chapter Lead

Fonterra; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fair and equitable pay

Health and well‑being programs (med/心理

Work‑life balance options (flexible/hy

Employee recognition

Support for community involvement and 

Job summary

Fonterra Te Mātāpuna is seeking an AI Chapter Lead to grow the AI talent, set standards, and elevate AI delivery across the Co‑operative. You will lead a team of AI practitioners, build capability, and foster a collaborative learning culture across Product, Architecture, Software Engineering, Data Engineering and Testing.

You’ll mentor and coach, translate complex AI concepts into practical outcomes, and help shape how AI is designed and used to solve real-world problems for farmers, customers

Job description

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 the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

As the AI Chapter Lead, you'll lead the growth, capability, and technical excellence of Fonterra's AI practitioner community, helping build the talent, standard and ways of working that support AI delivery across the Co‑op.

Leading a team of AI practitioners, you'll focus on developing people, growing capability and fostering a collaborative learning culture. You'll also bring together AI practitioners from across the organisation through a Community of Practice, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, innovation and continuous improvement.

While people leadership is a key part of the role, you'll remain close to the technology. As a senior AI practitioner, you'll help shape AI delivery practices, establish technical standards, guide the adoption of emerging technologies and support teams to solve complex AI challenges.

Working closely with Product, Architecture, Software Engineering, Data Engineering and Testing leaders, you'll help influence how AI is designed, developed and delivered across Fonterra.

This is an opportunity to shape both the future of AI talent and the evolution of AI delivery at Fonterra, helping build a connected and capable AI community across the Co‑op.

You bring a blend of technical depth and people leadership, with experience in AI, Machine Learning, Data Science or a related field. You've built credibility through hands‑on experience and enjoy helping others grow through mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing.

You're curious about emerging technologies and how they can be applied to solve real‑world problems. You can provide technical leadership while bringing people together, building capability and fostering a collaborative culture.

You build strong relationships across technical and business teams and are skilled at influencing stakeholders, aligning priorities and translating technical concepts into practical outcomes.

You're motivated by the opportunity to grow AI capability at Fonterra, developing our people, strengthening technical practices and helping shape the future of AI across the Co‑op.

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

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)
• Work‑life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
• Employee recognition
• Support for community involvement and cultural connection

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.

Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau – bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together.

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.