Control Systems Manager - Central & Upper South Island

Job Name Control Systems Manager

General Information

Date Published 06-May-2026 Advertising Ends 17-May-2026 ID# 15364 Role Type Engineering Work Type Permanent Full-Time Workplace Type Hybrid Country New Zealand Location Canterbury

Position Description

Our Co-operative
Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō | Imagine Tomorrow with UsAt 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.
He kupu mō mātou | About usOur manufacturing network is among the most complex and asset intensive in the country, transforming milk into high value products that are exported to over 130 markets.
Automation and control systems are fundamental to how we operate safely, efficiently and reliably. Across our manufacturing sites, control systems enable continuous, high volume production while meeting strict quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
As we continue to modernise our manufacturing network, we are focused on lifting reliability, reducing risk, strengthening cyber resilience, and ensuring our technology investments deliver long term value.
Mō tēnei tūranga | About the OpportunityWe are investing in the future of our manufacturing network, and automation is central to how we deliver safe, reliable and competitive operations. 
We’re looking for an experienced Control Systems Manager to lead automation capability across multiple Central and Upper South Island sites and help shape our national control systems strategy.
This is a senior, high impact leadership role that blends deep technical expertise with strong people leadership, commercial discipline, and cross functional influence.
You will be accountable for the performance, reliability and future direction of automation and control systems across a portfolio of manufacturing sites.
You’ll lead the full IT/OT technology stack spanning PLCs, HMIs, networks, MES/MOM, infrastructure and cybersecurity, ensuring plant availability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
A key part of the role is setting and delivering a consistent automation strategy across assets, aligning technology investment decisions with Fonterra’s broader business strategy and priorities. You’ll work closely with Operations, Engineering, IT and external partners to ensure automation enables both short term performance and long term value.
Core responsibilities

• Lead automation strategy and delivery across multiple sites ensuring a consistent, future focused approach to control systems, architecture, and cybersecurity.
• Build strong internal and external partnerships, acting as the escalation point for critical control systems issues and managing key vendor relationships.
• Drive control systems uptime and reliability, using disciplined KPI management, maintenance strategies, and backlog prioritisation.
• Own asset lifecycle management, including ACAP, system refresh programmes, obsolescence management, and cybersecurity controls.
• Identify and mitigate operational, technical, and cyber risks, ensuring robust disaster recovery, incident response readiness, and management of unsupported systems.
• Lift asset performance and efficiency, delivering targeted initiatives aligned with Operations for the Future and improving reliability KPIs.
• Ensure sound commercial decision making, aligning capital and operational investments with Fonterra’s strategy and return on capital expectations.
• Lead and develop a high performing team, setting clear direction, building capability, and role modelling values based leadership.

Mōu | About YouYou’re a strategic, influential leader who enjoys operating in complex manufacturing environments where reliability, safety, and performance matter.
You bring:

• Extensive technical experience in automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, control system architecture, networks, MES/MOM, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
• Proven people leadership experience, with a track record of building engaged, high performing technical teams.
• Strong stakeholder management capability, with confidence influencing senior leaders across Operations, IT, Engineering, and vendor partners.
• Experience operating in large scale manufacturing or industrial environments, with an appreciation of risk, compliance and asset criticality.
• The ability to plan, prioritise and track complex technical workloads, delivering against strategic objectives and KPIs.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and resolve complex technical and operational issues.
• Experience managing budgets and providing clear, commercially grounded reporting and insight.

Ngā 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
Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:

• Fair and equitable pay
• Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
• Professional development opportunities
• Career growth support
• Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
• Employee recognition
• Support for community involvement and cultural connection

To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers
Ngā Mahi | A Career of OpportunitiesAt Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.
Tātou Tātou | Join UsDoes this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together. 
You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.
He Wāhi mō 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. Tātou, tātou. 
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 17th May.