Market Manager

About the Company: Open Country Dairy is a proudly New Zealand-owned dairy manufacturer and exporter, supplying high-quality dairy ingredients to customers across international markets. As the business continues to grow its global footprint, Open Country Dairy is seeking a Market Manager to drive new customer acquisition and commercial growth across a portfolio of export markets.

About the Role: This is a role for a true hunter. You’ll be focused on opening new doors, winning end customers, and converting opportunities into profitable, long-term business.

Reporting to the Group Market Manager, you will take ownership of the powders and cheese categories across a range of offshore markets.

You’ll be responsible for building and executing market strategies, identifying new commercial opportunities, and negotiating strong trading outcomes in line with Open Country Dairy’s sales, price, and margin objectives.

You’ll work closely with internal stakeholders across finance, supply chain, and operations while spending meaningful time in-market developing customer relationships.

Key responsibilities

• Proactively identify and secure new end customers and distributor relationships across assigned export markets
• Own the full business development lifecycle, from initial engagement through to commercial agreement and supply
• Develop and execute market strategies that deliver profitable growth
• Lead commercial negotiations to achieve target pricing, margin, and sold positions
• Maintain strong awareness of global dairy supply, demand, and commodity price dynamics
• Manage customer relationships with a commercially focused, outcomes-driven approach
• Travel internationally (approximately 6–8 weeks per year) to develop markets and key customer relationships

About You: You are commercially driven, competitive, and comfortable operating in fast-paced export environments. You enjoy the chase and are motivated by winning new business rather than managing established accounts. You will bring:

• Proven experience in export sales or international business development (food or beverage preferred, but not essential)
• A clear hunter mindset with a track record of opening new markets or customers
• Strong commercial acumen, numeracy, and negotiation skills
• A results-focused approach that is not process-heavy or bureaucratic (we are dealing with commodities!)
• The confidence to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with internal teams
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Apply Now! To find out more, please get in touch with Ben on 0274 656 903 for a confidential chat.

To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.

At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them on your CV when applying.

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