Laboratory Technicians - Whareroa

Our Co-operative

Ata whakaarohia to apopo | Imagine Tomorrow with Us At Te Matapuna Fonterra, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves.

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution.

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

About us | He kupu mo matou Whareroa is one of our largest sites. Along with a 7-hectare distribution centre and 1000 employees, our site boasts a total of 11 plants which includes four milk powder plants, two cheese plants, a cream plant, an anhydrous milk fat plant plus a whey protein and casein plant. We have the capability to process an impressive 12 million litres of milk per day in peak season.

About the Opportunity | Mo tenei turanga We are looking for lab technicians who will be working on a rostered shift pattern at our Whareroa plant within our three Laboratory teams.

Our laboratory teams play a critical role in ensuring the quality and safety of our products. The Microbiology team focuses on testing and monitoring for microbial contaminants to uphold food safety standards. The Chemistry team conducts detailed analyses of product composition, ensuring compliance with regulatory and nutritional requirements. Meanwhile, the Sensory team is responsible for preparing samples for sensory analysis, interpreting and releasing results and supporting the wider lab team. Together, these teams ensure our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and consistency.

As our Lab Technician, you’ll be working in a varied role with a dedicated, passionate and fun team, you will ensure we accurately receive, register, subsample and test samples in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities include: Receiving, registering, subsampling and dispatching samples Daily calibration of specialised equipment Physical testing and recording and documenting test results Problem solving a range of issues Data entry and use of various computer systems (SAP, eQual) Liaising with production staff and other lab technicians.

This is a 33-week fixed term role, working on a rotating roster of 4 on, 4 off, including day shifts.

About You | Mou

Passionate and customer centric, you will provide a profound level of service to our customers and co-workers alike. You will bring to the table a willingness to resolve any issues with your exceptional problem-solving skills and your communication skills will enable you to build strong relationships across a broad range of key stakeholders. We will provide on-going training and development and you’ll bring your motivation and willingness to learn.

You’ll ideally have a background in Science ( Micro or Chemistry) and a passion for lab work and what we do, as well as: Strong communication and teamwork skills A quality focused and demonstrated problem-solving ability Excellent time management and prioritisation ability A willingness to learn new skills.

Come and be a part of a strong leadership team and contribute to our vision to be a premium dairy operation delivering future long-term solutions and a future we and our communities can be proud of.

Nga Aura | Our Values At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone – no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz

Tatou Tatou | Join Us Does this sound good to you? Come join our whanau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together.

You, me, us together, Tatou, tatou.

He Wahi mo te Katoa | Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion. Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions).

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value your potential and growth.

If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tatou, tatou.

Applications close at midnight on 31st May 2026.