Farms Manager - Edendale

Fonterra; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company housing

Job summary

Fonterra is seeking an experienced farming leader to manage Edendale Farms, overseeing pasture, livestock, and farm infrastructure while aligning with wastewater and irrigation requirements. You’ll lead a small team, drive pasture quality and productivity, and collaborate with multiple business units to support Southland’s agricultural and manufacturing goals, with a four-bedroom company house provided.

This role offers scale, career growth, and a safety-first culture focused on environmental

Qualifications

• Extensive farm management experience across large-scale operations.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, pasture management, and animal health.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Collaborative approach with multiple business units.
• Sound planning and contractor management experience.
• Hands-on leadership and willingness to roll up sleeves.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day farm operations across pasture, livestock, and infrastructure.
• Coordinate with wastewater and irrigation teams.
• Manage harvesting programmes, contractors, and stakeholder relations.
• Oversee animal health, agronomy, and farm development.
• Maintain safe, efficient, high-performing farm environment and develop team.

Skills

Farm leadership

Pasture management

Animal health

Agronomy knowledge

Contract management

Communication

Tools

Farm management software

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.

Fonterra operates an extensive network of dairy and dry stock farms across New Zealand, supporting our processing sites through the sustainable and environmentally responsible application of factory wastewater.

These farms play a critical role in demonstrating best-practice land, water and environmental management.

At our Fonterra farms, we share your dedication to agricultural excellence and rural living. Your expertise is the driving force behind achieving exceptional results and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our farming community.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

Part of Fonterra's South Island farming portfolio, our Edendale Farms plays a critical role in supporting our manufacturing operations through the sustainable application of wastewater and the production of high-quality pasture.

Spanning approximately 1,100 hectares, Edendale Farms is a well-established dry stock and cut-and-carry farming operation focused on harvesting around 10 million kilograms of silage annually for supply to local Fonterra farmer shareholders. The farm also supports sheep and hogget grazing as part of a closed-loop farming system that contributes to the success of Southland's rural economy. Leading a close-knit team of two, you will partner closely with our site’s wastewater and irrigation teams.

This is a unique opportunity to manage a large-scale farming operation where environmental stewardship, pasture management, and business collaboration come together to support Fonterra's broader manufacturing strategy.

Health, Safety and Environmental stewardship is critical to this role. Alongside managing wastewater application, you will actively identify and implement farm improvement initiatives while driving a strong health and safety focus.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day management of the farm operation across pasture, livestock, and infrastructure activities.
• Working closely with wastewater and irrigation teams to ensure farm systems support wastewater application requirements.
• Managing harvesting programmes, contractors, and stakeholder relationships to maximise pasture quality and productivity.
• Overseeing animal health, agronomy, and farm development activities.
• Maintaining a safe, efficient, and high-performing farm environment while developing team capability and engagement.

Based adjacent to our Edendale site, this role offers a competitive package including a company-provided four-bedroom house. The role averages 50 hours per week, with weekend work required every second or third weekend depending on seasonal demands.

You are an experienced farming leader (or have the ambition and capability to take the next step), with a strong grounding in pasture management and a proven ability to successfully manage large-scale farming operations.

You'll bring:

• Extensive farm management experience, ideally with responsibility for multiple blocks or large-scale farming operations.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, pasture management, and animal health.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach and demonstrated success working with multiple business units to achieve wider organisational goals.
• Sound operational planning and contractor management experience.
• Strong computer literacy and confidence using technology to support farm operations.
• A hands-on leadership style and willingness to roll up your sleeves when needed.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who thrives in a small team environment, values strong working relationships, and takes genuine pride in contributing to something bigger than the farm itself. You're curious, eager to learn, and motivated by opportunities to grow your career within a large and successful organisation.

This role would suit someone who wants the scale and career opportunities of Fonterra while remaining connected to the land and making a meaningful contribution to Southland's agricultural and manufacturing success.

At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone - no matter your background, identity 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

To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

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.

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 Sunday 20th September