Personal Assistant

Fonterra Co-operative Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Benefits package

Job summary

Based in Chicago, Fonterra is seeking a highly organized and proactive Personal Assistant to support a group of senior leaders responsible for growth, innovation, market strategy and transformation across our global Ingredients business.

In this fast-paced role, you’ll manage complex calendars across time zones, coordinate international travel, prepare presentations and meeting materials, handle expenses, and act as a trusted gatekeeper to prioritise commitments with confidentiality and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting senior leaders within a global organisation.
• Proven success managing complex international calendars across multiple time zones.
• Strong stakeholder management with the confidence to influence.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex calendars for senior global leaders across time zones.
• Act as gatekeeper to prioritise commitments and manage competing demands.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to coordinate schedules and priorities.
• Identify conflicts, risks and opportunities to improve leader effectiveness.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel and logistics.
• Prepare presentations and meeting materials for leadership meetings.
• Manage expenses, invoices and administrative processes.
• Handle highly confidential information with professionalism.

Skills

Calendar management

Stakeholder management

Discretion

Communication

MS Office

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

We are Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy nutrition companies.

At Fonterra, you’ll be inspired by purpose and guided by principles. Whether you're based in New Zealand or anywhere else around the world, you’ll be part of a team that creates goodness for generations and delivers global impact through local action. Our brands are trusted by families and individuals alike, delivering high-quality dairy nutrition to millions of people globally.

As a Co-operative created and owned by New Zealand dairy farmers, our collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved in New Zealand and around the world.

As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.

When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions.

Fonterra's Ingredients business partners with some of the world's leading food, nutrition and foodservice companies, helping deliver innovative dairy solutions to customers around the globe.

About the Opportunity

Based in Chicago, we're looking for a highly organised and proactive Personal Assistant to support a group of senior leaders responsible for growth, innovation, market strategy and transformation across our global Ingredients business.

Supporting the VP Global Channel Transformation, VP Global New Business Development, VP Growth - Ingredients, GM Market, and Innovation & Product Strategy Manager, you'll play a critical role in keeping a busy leadership team connected, organised and focused on delivering outcomes.

This is a fast‑paced role where no two days are the same. From managing complex schedules and international travel to coordinating leadership meetings and supporting key business priorities, you'll be a trusted member of the team and an important connection point across the wider organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing complex calendars for a group of senior global leaders across multiple jurisdictions and time zones
• Acting as a trusted gatekeeper, helping leaders prioritise commitments and effectively manage competing demands on their time
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the business to coordinate schedules, meetings and business priorities
• Proactively identifying conflicts, risks and opportunities to improve leader effectiveness
• Coordinating domestic and international travel and ensuring seamless logistics
• Preparing presentations, meeting materials and supporting leadership team activities
• Managing expenses, invoices and administrative processes
• Handling sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism

About You

You're an experienced Personal Assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced, global environment. You bring strong judgement, exceptional organisation skills, and the confidence to work with senior leaders and stakeholders across the business. Proactive by nature, you're always one step ahead, protecting leaders' time, anticipating challenges, and ensuring priorities remain on track. Above all, you're a trusted professional who handles highly confidential information with discretion and integrity.

You Will Bring

• Experience supporting senior leaders within a complex global organisation
• Proven success managing complex international calendars across multiple time zones
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and coordinate senior leaders and their teams
• The ability to proactively manage priorities, ensuring leaders remain focused and are not overcommitted
• A proactive mindset, anticipating issues and identifying solutions before they become problems
• Exceptional organisation, planning and attention to detail
• The ability to handle highly confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders at all levels
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams and Excel
• A calm, adaptable approach and the ability to thrive in a fast‑moving environment

At Fonterra, we are committed to building a diverse workplace and, therefore, open to looking at applicants with excellent transferable skills.

The benefits of life at Fonterra

Our people and what they bring to our Co‑op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We also offer competitive remuneration ($80k - $100k) and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location.

Fonterra is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.