Programme Manager - Strategic Delivery

Fonterra; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fair pay

Health programs

Development opportunities

Career growth

Flexible/hybrid working

Employee recognition

Community involvement

Job summary

Fonterra, a New Zealand dairy co-operative, is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to join our Strategy, Planning and Delivery team within Farm Source. You will lead large strategic programmes, translate strategy into actionable roadmaps, and collaborate with senior leaders and external partners to deliver value for farmers and the co-operative.

This role operates across Farm Source and the wider business, requiring strong governance, budgeting, risk management and benefits realisation to

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large enterprise-wide strategic programmes.
• Strong governance, planning, delivery, budgeting, risk and benefits management.
• Demonstrated success engaging senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
• Experience working with external stakeholders, partners or industry groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of large, complex strategic programmes from planning through to benefits realisation.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear roadmaps, priorities, milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders, sponsors, governance groups and external stakeholders.
• Manage programme budgets, risks, dependencies, resources and reporting.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations and decision support to governance forums.
• Drive programme performance and ensure delivery stays aligned with outcomes.
• Bring structure and disciplined practices to complex and evolving work environments.

Skills

Enterprise programme management

Governance

Budgeting & financials

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Commercial acumen

Strategy-to-delivery

Enterprise thinking

Education

Tertiary qualification

PM certification

Job description

Imagine Tomorrow with Us | Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō

At Fonterra 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

We love Kiwi dairy farmers and know they're pretty awesome. For generations, they have relied on hard work, ingenuity, and each other to create the kind of goodness that fuels our families, connects our communities and supports our economy.

At Farm Source, the same co‑operative spirit that our farmers and their communities share drives our team. We make farming easier so farmers can continue to concentrate on what they do best - producing high‑quality New Zealand milk in the most sustainable way. This means growing and supporting the right people - smart people with plenty of 'roll-your-sleeves up' energy to rise to the challenge. Whether you're on the farm getting your gumboots dirty or connecting over a coffee at our local stores, you'll get the mahi done as part of a trusted team - backed by good people, the right products, innovative solutions, and industry‑leading expertise.

So why not join us? Whether you're on the farm getting your gumboots dirty or connecting over a coffee at our local stores, you'll be getting the mahi done as part of a trusted team.

You can learn more about Farm Source[1] here.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga

We're looking for an experienced Programme Manager to join our Strategy, Planning and Delivery team within Farm Source.

Reporting to the GM Strategy, Planning and Delivery, you'll lead the delivery of significant strategic programmes that are critical to our future. This is a high‑profile role where you'll translate strategy into action, bringing together complex workstreams, diverse stakeholders and enterprise‑wide priorities to deliver meaningful outcomes for farmers and the Co‑operative.

This role extends beyond Farm Source and requires someone who can confidently operate across the wider business, engaging with senior leaders, external partners, industry stakeholders and governance forums to drive alignment and successful delivery.

About the Role

As Programme Manager, you'll be responsible for:

• Leading the delivery of large, complex strategic programmes from planning through to benefits realisation
• Translating strategic objectives into clear roadmaps, priorities, milestones and measurable outcomes
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior leaders, sponsors, governance groups and external stakeholders
• Managing programme budgets, risks, dependencies, resources and reporting
• Providing evidence‑based recommendations and decision support to governance forums
• Driving programme performance and ensuring delivery remains focused on achieving agreed outcomes
• Bringing structure, clarity and disciplined programme practices to complex and evolving work environments

About You | Mōu

We're looking for a seasoned programme leader who thrives in complex environments and has a proven track record of delivering large‑scale strategic initiatives.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Proven experience leading large, enterprise‑wide strategic programmes
• Strong programme management capability across governance, planning, delivery, budgeting, risk and benefits management
• Demonstrated success engaging and influencing senior leaders and executive stakeholders
• Experience working with external stakeholders, partners or industry groups
• Outstanding communication and relationship‑building skills
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance competing priorities and trade‑offs
• Enterprise thinking and the ability to connect strategy with operational delivery
• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or programme management certification

Experience within sustainability, primary industries, agriculture, or customer‑facing environments will be highly regarded.

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 [2] 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

To learn more, visit [3] 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.

Join Us | Tātou Tātou

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

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 Friday 2nd October 2026!

References

Visible links

• 1. http://http//https/nzfarmsource.co.nz/about-farm-source/careers.html?utm_campaign=talentacquisition&utm_medium=jobad&utm_source=fonterracareers
• 2. https://values.fonterra.com/?utm_source=internal+job+ad&utm_medium=job+ad&utm_campaign=imagine+tomorrow&utm_term=&utm_content=values
• 3. https://www.fonterra.com/nz/en/careers.html?utm_campaign=talentacquisition&utm_medium=jobad&utm_source=fonterracareers