Ocean Freight Manager

Fonterra; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Career growth support

Flexible/hybrid working where possible

Employee recognition

Community involvement and cultural 연결

Job summary

Fonterra invites an experienced Ocean Freight Manager to lead our ocean freight operations across New Zealand markets, based in Auckland or Hamilton. You’ll own the operational relationship with Kotahi, oversee capacity, routing, and risk, and align commercial outcomes with service commitments.

This role blends relationship management, logistics planning and problem solving in a global supply chain. You’ll need strong freight knowledge, collaboration skills and the ability to influence across

Qualifications

• Experience in ocean freight, freight forwarding, logistics or supply chain.
• Strong account, supplier or service-provider relationship management experience.
• Knowledge of shipping networks, capacity, equipment, bookings and transit risks.
• The confidence to influence, challenge constructively and hold partners accountable.
• A calm, practical approach to disruption and competing priorities.
• Sound commercial judgement and a focus on customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day relationship and service governance with Kotahi.
• Hold partners accountable for service levels, export requirements and DIFOT performance.
• Work with Logistics Planning to align vessel capacity, equipment and routing with demand.
• Manage freight disruptions and communicate risks, delays and solutions clearly.
• Represent customer and New Zealand landside needs in sourcing and network decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve service, resilience and cost performance.

Skills

Ocean freight

Account management

Shipping networks

Disruption management

Commercial judgement

Relationship management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Position 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

Our Global Supply Chain connects Fonterra products with customers and markets around the world. Within Logistics, our ocean freight team helps move export volumes reliably through a complex and fast-changing global shipping environment.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

We have a permanent opportunity for an Ocean Freight Manager, based in Auckland or Hamilton.

Reporting to the GM Logistics and leading two Ocean Freight Analysts, you’ll own Fonterra’s operational relationship with Kotahi. As the key interface between the two organisations, you’ll build a strong partnership, set clear expectations and ensure service commitments are delivered.

Blending relationship management, operations and commercial thinking, you’ll work across Fonterra and Kotahi to manage capacity, resolve disruptions and improve customer outcomes.

Key areas of focus include:

• Leading the day-to-day relationship and service governance with Kotahi.
• Holding partners accountable for service levels, export requirements and DIFOT performance.
• Working with Logistics Planning to align vessel capacity, equipment and routing with demand.
• Managing freight disruptions and communicating risks, delays and solutions clearly.
• Representing customer and New Zealand landside needs in sourcing and network decisions.
• Identifying opportunities to improve service, resilience and cost performance.

About You | Mōu

You’ll be an experienced relationship manager who understands ocean freight and can confidently connect operational detail with the bigger commercial picture.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Experience in ocean freight, freight forwarding, logistics or supply chain.
• Strong account, supplier or service-provider relationship management experience.
• Knowledge of shipping networks, capacity, equipment, bookings and transit risks.
• The confidence to influence, challenge constructively and hold partners accountable.
• A calm, practical approach to disruption and competing priorities.
• Sound commercial judgement and a focus on customer outcomes.
• This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys building trusted partnerships, solving complex freight challenges and influencing outcomes across a global supply chain.

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

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

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?

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 Sunday 15th November 2026