Commercial Research Lead

DairyNZ Limited.; Waikato; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Purpose-driven culture

Birthday leave

Career development

Wellbeing programs

Flexible work environment

Southern Cross Health Insurance

Job summary

DairyNZ is seeking a Commercial Research Lead for its Research & Science team in Waikato. You will coordinate and deliver the DairyNZ commercial research and trial portfolio, bridging between external organisations and DairyNZ scientists, from enquiry through to proposal, contracting, trial delivery and reporting.

You will translate opportunities into scientifically robust trial protocols while meeting regulatory and Animal Ethics standards, relevant to pasture-based dairy farming.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in agricultural science, animal science, biological science or related discipline (postgraduate preferred)
• Demonstrated experience designing, coordinating or delivering agricultural research programmes, field trials or applied projects
• Sound understanding of research methods and experimental design, including power analysis
• Strong project management skills with multi‑project oversight
• Ability to build relationships and influence across multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong organisational skills
• Commercial awareness balancing scientific, stakeholder and organisational needs

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and support delivery of commercial research projects from enquiry to completion, safely, on time, within budget and to quality standards
• Act as main contact between commercial organisations and DairyNZ scientists
• Develop robust trial designs, protocols and delivery plans meeting NZ regulatory and Animal Ethics requirements
• Lead preparation of proposals, quotations, budgets and project documentation
• Coordinate Animal Ethics Committee applications and regulatory approvals
• Manage trial logistics and financial records
• Provide reporting and insights to support prioritisation and resource planning
• Identify and implement improvements to delivery systems and processes

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Research design

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualification in agricultural/science

Job description

Job ID: 165342
Department: Research & Science
Location: Waikato
Posted: November 2, 2026

Newstead, Hamilton | Full time,permanent

Progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

At DairyNZ, we are passionate about delivering great outcomes and creating positive change. We leverage our collective strength by uniting the dairy sector, working alongside farmers to build more sustainable, profitable, and resilient farm businesses.

Your opportunity

Do you enjoy turning a good research opportunity into a well-run trial? We are looking for a Commercial Research Lead to coordinate and deliver DairyNZ's strategically aligned commercial research and trial portfolio.

You will be the bridge between external organisations and DairyNZ scientists, managing projects from the first enquiry through to proposal, contracting, trial delivery and reporting. You will help translate commercial research opportunities into scientifically robust trial protocols and delivery plans that meet our scientific standards, New Zealand regulatory requirements and Animal Ethics requirements, and that are relevant to pasture-based dairy farming.

This role takes on much of the coordination, compliance, stakeholder management and project set-up work that scientists currently carry, so they can focus on scientific leadership, research quality and strategic research development. You will also help improve the systems and ways of working that make commercial research delivery more efficient across Research & Science. Where capacity allows, the role will also provide research delivery and project management support to DairyNZ scientists across other priority research activities, drawing on its coordination, stakeholder management and research delivery capabilities.

This is a permanent, full-time role, based at our Newstead office in Hamilton, reporting to the Head of Research and Science Performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning, coordinating and supporting delivery of commercial research projects, from initial enquiry through to completion, safely, on time, within budget and to agreed scientific and quality standards.
• Acting as the main point of contact between commercial organisations and DairyNZ scientists, and helping commercial partners understand New Zealand pasture-based farming systems.
• Working with scientists, biometricians, research technicians and other stakeholders to turn research objectives into robust trial designs, protocols and delivery plans.
• Developing proposals, quotations, budgets and project documentation, and contributing to contracting and project establishment.
• Leading the preparation of Animal Ethics Committee applications and other regulatory approvals, and coordinating amendments, monitoring and reporting throughout each study.
• Coordinating trial logistics, including animals, trained personnel, contractors, laboratories, equipment, samples and other resources, and maintaining accurate project and financial records.
• Keeping visibility of the commercial research pipeline, and providing reporting and insights to the Research Steering Group and Research & Science leadership to support prioritisation and resource planning.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to research delivery systems and processes.

About you

You do not need to tick every box, but we would love to hear from you if you have:

• A tertiary qualification in agricultural science, animal science, biological science or a related discipline (a postgraduate qualification is preferred).
• Demonstrated experience designing, coordinating or delivering agricultural research programmes, field trials or applied research projects.
• A sound understanding of research methods and experimental design, including power analysis.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing multiple projects at the same time.
• A proven ability to build productive relationships and to influence and coordinate across multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong organisation and attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness, and the ability to balance scientific, stakeholder and organisational needs.

The following would be highly valued:

• Knowledge of Animal Ethics and regulatory approval processes, and of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements, including experience in regulated research environments.
• Experience in the New Zealand dairy industry.
• Experience preparing commercial proposals, budgets and contracts, and working with commercial research clients and industry partners.
• An understanding of research governance and funding environments.

This is your opportunity to play a key role in making commercial research work for New Zealand dairy farmers, and to free our scientists to do what they do best.

From day one, you'll enjoy a range of benefits designed to support your professional growth, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:

• Work that makes a difference: a strong purpose and values-led culture
• Enhanced leave benefits with birthday leave, purchasing additional leave, DairyNZ days
• Professional development through staff training and career growth opportunities
• Wellness dollars for you, health & wellbeing programs, and confidential EAP services
• Flexible, family-friendly work environment promoting work-life balance
• Exclusive employee benefits with Southern Cross Health Insurance and many more

Why you should join us

Make a difference – Together with our farmers, help us drive positive progress for the sector and country we love. Our credible work supports a sustainable future for farmers, the environment and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring the whole you – We put people at the heart of what we do. We welcome all that you are and support your wellbeing, so you thrive personally and professionally.

Join a vibrant culture – Be part of a team that truly believes in our values. We have the courage to take bold action and the curiosity to drive innovation. Our credibility is in our evidence-based work and our connectedness builds meaningful, collaborative relationships.

Empowering you – We succeed when you do, which is why we champion the development and growth of our people. We empower you to do and be at your best through learning opportunities and great benefits.

If you are ready to help deliver great commercial research for New Zealand dairy farmers, we would love to hear from you.

Applications close Tuesday, November 17th at 11.55pm.