Senior Human Resources Advisor

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy; Māngere-Ōtāhuhu; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Career development

Collaborative culture

Safety and quality commitment

Flexible working

Job summary

Lactalis New Zealand is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to partner with on-site leaders and deliver practical, people-focused HR solutions within a high-performing manufacturing environment. The role covers contracts, onboarding, HR administration, employee records, and governance to support sound business decisions.

You will lead onboarding, maintain HR systems, and coordinate cyclical HR activities while building trusted relationships with leaders and employees across the NZ site.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in a HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor role, ideally within an operational, manufacturing, or FMCG environment.
• Strong understanding of employment lifecycle processes, including contracts, onboarding, HR administration, and employee records management.
• Experience working with HR systems, reporting, governance activities, and process improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end HR support across employment contracts, employee lifecycle activities, and workforce administration
• Partner with site leaders to deliver practical advice, guidance, and support on people processes and day-to-day HR matters
• Lead onboarding activities to ensure new employees have a seamless and compliant start to their employment journey
• Maintain accurate HR systems, employee records, reporting, and governance processes that support business decision‑making
• Coordinate cyclical HR activities and initiatives, ensuring critical deadlines, compliance requirements, and business priorities are successfully delivered

Skills

HR experience

Employment lifecycle

HR systems

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

HR/ER/Business degree

Job description

Lactalis New Zealand, formerly known as Fonterra Brands NZ, is now proudly part of the Lactalis Group.

Lactalis is a French family‑owned business and the world’s largest dairy company. With a presence in 50 countries, employing around 90,000 people and a range of 2,000 dairy products. Lactalis is committed to contributing to the health and well‑being of consumers around the world every day.

Here in New Zealand, Lactalis New Zealand employs more than 1,000 people across four manufacturing sites, two distribution centres and our corporate head office. We manufacture high‑quality dairy products enjoyed by Kiwis and consumers around the world.

Our business also includes NZ New Milk, a specialised nutrition and infant formula manufacturer that produces premium products for global markets. Together, we produce some of the country’s most loved dairy brands, including Anchor, Fresh ’n’ Fruity and Mainland.

Our passionate and talented team is dedicated to nurturing the future of dairy, unlocking new opportunities, and fostering innovation in nutrition and food.

About the Opportunity

Join NZ New Milk in a pivotal HR role where you'll partner closely with leaders to deliver practical, people‑focused solutions that support a high‑performing manufacturing environment. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact across the employee lifecycle while building trusted relationships and driving operational excellence on site. In addition to this you will:

• Provide end‑to‑end HR support across employment contracts, employee lifecycle activities, and workforce administration
• Partner with site leaders to deliver practical advice, guidance, and support on people processes and day‑to‑day HR matters
• Lead onboarding activities to ensure new employees have a seamless and compliant start to their employment journey
• Maintain accurate HR systems, employee records, reporting, and governance processes that support business decision‑making
• Coordinate cyclical HR activities and initiatives, ensuring critical deadlines, compliance requirements, and business priorities are successfully delivered

You’ll be part of a team that’s passionate, resilient and supportive, with a strong sense of ownership and pride in the products we create.

About You

You're a proactive and approachable HR professional who enjoys being close to the business and building trusted relationships with leaders and employees alike. Highly organised and solutions‑focused, you combine strong HR knowledge with a hands‑on approach and a genuine passion for supporting people and business success. In addition to this you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Business, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience in a HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor role, ideally within an operational, manufacturing, or FMCG environment
• Strong understanding of employment lifecycle processes, including contracts, onboarding, HR administration, and employee records management
• Experience working with HR systems, reporting, governance activities, and process improvement initiatives
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism

We are looking for someone who is passionate, ambitious, and eager to grow. Whether you’re ready for your next challenge or looking to deepen your expertise, we’d love to hear from you

What We Offer

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Career development and progression opportunities within a global organisation
• A collaborative and supportive workplace culture where your contribution makes a real impact
• A strong commitment to safety, quality, innovation and sustainability
• Flexible working arrangements where possible

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Lactalis NZ, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.