Co-op Business Partner

Fonterra, the farmer-owned dairy co-operative in New Zealand, is seeking a Co-op Business Partner to support shareholder farmers across the Rotorua region and into Taupo and southern Waikato. The role is a full-time, permanent position that blends on-site farm engagement with a flexible hybrid setup, and it’s based in Rotorua with coverage across the area. It’s a good fit for someone who enjoys building real partnerships, translating strategy into practical farming opportunities, and working in rural communities. Discover how your values line up with theirs by taking the Values Quiz, and learn more about the company at Fonterra Careers.

This position is not about transactional selling. It’s about forming trusted relationships with a portfolio of shareholder farmers, understanding each farm’s business objectives, and guiding conversations that create value for both the farmer and the Co-operative. If you’re comfortable handling commercial discussions, translating strategy into needs, and delivering long-term impact in farming communities, you’ll likely feel at home here.

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and backed by a supportive team, Fonterra emphasizes care, collaboration and contribution. The company offers coaching, development opportunities and exposure to senior leaders across the Co-operative. The role provides autonomy to shape your own schedule while staying responsive to farmers and regional priorities.

On the road with farmer partners

Most of your time will be spent on-farm, building deep relationships with current and future farming leaders, think sharemilkers and emerging farm owners. You’ll listen to what farmers want to achieve and map those goals to opportunities within Fonterra’s services and value proposition, then design engagement plans that strengthen loyalty and long-term milk supply. You’ll connect farmers with the right Fonterra specialists and support teams to meet their needs, and you’ll represent the Co-operative in local farming communities and industry networks.

There’s a strong sense of autonomy in this role. You’ll manage your own schedule and travel across the Rotorua region, while being backed by a capable team and leaders who can provide guidance when needed. The work centers on meaningful conversations and real partnerships, not quick wins.

What you bring to the role

To succeed, you’ll demonstrate a history of managing customer, stakeholder or key account relationships with a clear sense of commercial rhythm and business performance. You should communicate well, influence others, and build lasting connections. Resilience and adaptability are key, as is the ability to work independently and run your own territory while keeping farming partners aligned with shared goals. A genuine interest in agriculture and a desire to help farming businesses thrive are important as well.

• Proven experience managing customer, stakeholder, or key account relationships
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify what drives business performance
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills
• A resilient and adaptable mindset for handling changing priorities
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage your own territory
• An interest in agriculture and helping farming businesses succeed

Nice to have backgrounds include work in rural banking, agribusiness, dairy industry organisations, account management or key account management, rural advisory services, or agricultural sales or customer relationship management.

• Rural banking
• Agribusiness or dairy industry organisations
• Account management or key account management
• Rural advisory services
• Agricultural sales or customer relationship management

Pay, benefits and practical details

Fonterra offers a fair and equitable pay structure along with a benefits package aimed at wellbeing and development. The role comes with health and wellbeing programs, professional development opportunities, and support for career growth. Flexible or hybrid working options are available where possible, and there is recognition for good work along with encouragement of community involvement and cultural connection. You’ll enjoy a high degree of autonomy and the chance to shape your own schedule, backed by a strong team and leadership across the Co‑operative.

Smart moves for this Co-op role

Lead your resume with concrete examples of how you’ve built and maintained relationships with farmers or other rural clients, especially where you drove measurable improvements in loyalty or milk supply.

When you describe your must-have skills, use real outcomes that show commercial insight and the ability to translate strategy into farmer needs. Include a concise story that demonstrates your communication and problem-solving in action.

In interviews, be prepared to outline how you plan on engaging farmers on-farm, how you translate Fonterra’s services into tangible farmer benefits, and how you juggle multiple priorities across regions while staying resilient.

Ask a targeted question about how this role interfaces with Fonterra specialists and Co-operative leaders, and how coaching and leadership exposure are structured across the organisation.

Joining the team

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Reference ID: 17451. To apply, use the Apply button on this page.