People & Culture Business Partner – 18‑Month Fixed‑Term

About the role

Fonterra is seeking a People & Culture Business Partner on an 18‑month fixed‑term contract to support its Edgecumbe and Reporoa manufacturing sites. In this strategic partnership role you will translate the co‑op’s people strategy into actionable workforce plans, capability development programmes and high‑performance solutions that align with business priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead strategic workforce planning at scale, developing data‑driven, end‑to‑end strategies that link long‑term goals with practical implementation.
• Partner with senior leaders across Edgecumbe and Reporoa to influence strategic thinking, drive performance and manage change.
• Coach and advise managers on people solutions, employee engagement and organisational design.
• Design and embed capability‑building initiatives and high‑performance practices within a unionised environment.
• Use workforce analytics to identify trends, anticipate needs and measure the impact of interventions.

Required profile

• Proven experience in strategic workforce planning and capability development in large, unionised organisations.
• Strong business insight with the ability to translate strategy into actionable frameworks.
• Excellent influencing and coaching skills, able to work with senior stakeholders.
• Data‑driven mindset with a focus on outcomes and measurable results.
• Adaptable, future‑focused and comfortable leading change in complex environments.

Required skills

• Workforce planning methodology
• Capability development programmes
• Union relations and negotiation
• People analytics and data interpretation

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence senior leadership and shape the future workforce of a global dairy co‑operative.
• Flexible location within the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region with travel to site locations.
• Exposure to a purpose‑driven, collaborative culture that values care, contribution and continuous improvement.