Our Co-operative

Fonterra’s strength is in the collective | Te Mātāpuna toa takitini 

We are a Co-operative created and owned by Aotearoa New Zealand dairy farmers. Since our beginnings, 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 here 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. 

About the opportunity | Te whiwhinga mahi

At Fonterra we employ over 22,000 people worldwide and have some of the largest collective employment agreements in the private sector. Productive employment relationships are an important aspect of our business performance, so the partnership our Employment Relations team has with the business is highly valued for its legal, strategic and operational insight and support.  

As a Senior Employment Counsel on this twelve month fixed term contract, you will work to create an environment that supports business improvement and manages the risk of employment related issues. 

Reporting to GM – Employment Relations, you will provide legal advice and case management support across the business in a way that is legally compliant, consistent with our values and strengthens our key stakeholder relationships.  

In addition, your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Complex and high-risk Problem Resolution/ Dispute Resolution: Managing and advising on personal grievances (including attending mediation and supporting on Authority claims), employment relationship problems and disputes. Working with managers, P&C and unions to resolve issues.
• Capability build: Providing expert advice, support and coaching to our managers and People Solutions teams on the full range of employment related issues 
• Supporting the Team: Working in a dynamic team of professionals, supporting legal case work, collective agreement interpretation, collective negotiations and union forums

To note, the duration of this contract is 12 months. 

About you | Ko wai koe

With a tertiary qualification in Law and a current practicing certificate, you will have 4 years' experience post qualification in employment law within either a specialist employment law team or an in-house environment. While we’re open to looking at people from all kinds of industries, businesses and organisations, Fonterra is a highly complex organisation and so if you have experience navigating complexity and have recent litigation exposure that’s going to be an advantage.

You have exceptional stakeholder management skills and are able to operate at a strategic business partnering level, and needless to say, your communication skills – both written and verbal – are awesome as you will be engaging with a wide range of audiences. You will thrive in a highly collaborative team environment but also know how to work autonomously.

Are you excited about this opportunity but may only meet some requirements?  

At Fonterra, we are committed to building a diverse workplace and, therefore, open to looking at applicants with excellent transferable skills. If that's you, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or one of our other opportunities. 

Or join our Talent Community to be notified about new and relevant job opportunities. 

The benefits of life at Fonterra | Te ora i Te Mātāpuna

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 and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location. 

Our story | Ō mātou kōrero  

Being part of Fonterra means being part of a unique history, realising the potential of dairy for generations to come, and solving for a better future together. 

• Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit, guides a common strength and purpose.  
• Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people at the heart of what we do.  
• Kaitiakitanga ensures we care for the land, farming in a way that regenerates our farms and environment for future generations.  
• Whakaohooho inspires us all with excellent career development opportunities, benefits, flexibility, and balance to suit everyone's lifestyles and choices.  

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

Sound good to you? Come join our whānau and let’s solve for better, together. You, me, us together. Tᾱtou tᾱtou.

Please click here to apply.