Environmental Manager - Stirling

Fonterra Co-operative Group; Otago; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and well‑being programs

Flexible/hybrid working where possible

Employee recognition

Community involvement support

Job summary

Fonterra Co-operative Group in Otago—Stirling site—seeks an Environmental Manager to lead environmental operations and compliance. You will drive regulatory compliance, manage wastewater and biomass boiler, and partner with site leadership to deliver sustainability goals and site KPIs.

Ideal candidates bring strong environmental management experience, RMA/ISO knowledge, and a track record in stakeholder engagement with communities and agencies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams and coaching for environmental KPIs.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements incl. RMA and ISO standards.
• Demonstrated experience with environmental risk and wastewater management.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience with community and iwi engagement at national level.

Responsibilities

• Lead operation and performance of wastewater treatment and biomass boiler.
• Provide compliance reports to regulators, management and stakeholders.
• Support resource consents renewals and input to plans.
• Collaborate with Environmental Asset Management and Capital Projects teams.
• Provide thought leadership for environmental escalations and events.
• Develop people capability to achieve environmental KPIs.

Skills

People leadership

Compliance

Environmental management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge (RMA/ISO)

Wastewater management

Leadership in complex environment

Education

Science / Environmental field degree

Geography / Environmental Management qualification

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.

Established in 1982, Stirling site is Fonterra’s only manufacturing site in the Otago region. Specialising in Cheese, the site has picked up awards from both in New Zealand and internationally for their Cheddar and Colby. Stirling produces around 10,500 20kgs blocks of cheese everyday.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

We are looking for an Environmental Manager to join our team, where you will lead and manage the environmental operations and compliance function for the Stirling site. You will provide strategic oversight and take accountability for the environmental management system on site, bringing to life Fonterra’s commitment to be a leader in sustainability. You will be required to have a strong commitment and understanding of Fonterra’s environmental regulatory requirements including, resource management act, ISO 14001, our sustainability requirements and related standards. As a member of the Site Leadership team, the Environmental Manager plays an integral role in the strategic direction setting, leadership and delivery of the overall site strategies.

Reporting to the Site Operations Manager, your responsibilities include:

• Accountability for operation and performance of the site’s wastewater treatment, disposal operations and biomass boiler, as well as monitoring, reporting, incident response and community liaison
• Providing accurate and timely compliance and progress reports to regulatory authorities, site management and other stakeholders
• Supporting resource consent renewals for site and related operations and input to regional and district plans
• Engaging with site and regional Environmental Asset Management and Capital Projects teams to ensure compliance and best practice environmental management across site.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance for environmental related escalations and events
• Through coaching and development build the people capability required to deliver sustainable performance of the sites environmental KPIs

As a key leader of the environmental function for the site, you’ll have experience directly leading a team coupled with a keen interest or background in the Environmental or Sustainability space. You’ll thrive in a fast‑paced and complex environment with a passion for compliance and environmental management. With a natural ability to build high performing teams and influence diverse groups of stakeholders, you will build and strengthen key relationships across the business.

We want to hear from you if you have:

• People leadership experience including ability to engage, inspire and coach others
• Knowledge of and experience in compliance and RMA including ISO standards
• Demonstrated experience with environmental risk management as well as sound understanding of wastewater management
• Excellent communication, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills including the ability to influence and work collaboratively cross‑functionally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and an attention to detail in producing reports
• Strong leadership in proactive community and iwi engagement at a national level as well as a deep experience in managing external environmental agencies
• An understanding of environmental data reporting and its usage with the ability to innovate enhancements to meet Fonterra’s need
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as Science, Environmental Management or Geography would be beneficial.

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.

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 6th October 2026