Whether you are a Commerce or Technical Graduate, Fonterra’s Graduate Programmes offer an opportunity to have a range of diverse experiences before you settle on a particular role that suits you best. This gives Fonterra Graduates the chance to find out how your specific skills and quality fare in the real world, and discover which roles you will find satisfying.
Fonterra Graduate Commerce Programme
The Fonterra Graduate Commerce Programme is designed to build Fonterra’s talent pipeline by developing future leaders.
The FGCP provides an intensive, continuous programme over two years offering a multitude of experiences by way of rotations through different businesses to equip graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for an accelerated start to their careers in Fonterra. We do this by providing stretching, challenging roles with real decision making responsibility, providing exposure to a range of developmental and learning experiences while continuously developing functional/technical competence.
Fonterra Graduate Technical Programme (Engineers and Food Technology/Science)
The Fonterra Technical Graduate Programme gives graduates a broad overview of Fonterra and all the technical aspects that go with the business. The first 12 months includes an induction, practical work at a dairy plant and an integrated course at the Fonterra Research Centre (based in Palmerston North), the largest dairy research centre in the world. The second year further develops our graduates skills and expertise through rotations through the business or placements.
Launched in 1969, the Fonterra Graduate Technical Programme (FGTP) is an intensive, induction course that equips Science, Technology and Engineering Graduates with the skills and knowledge for an accelerated start to their careers. The aim is to develop graduates with the potential to become technical leaders and managers in Fonterra.
The FGTP gives an excellent broad overview of Fonterra where graduates gain a good insight into the structure and function of all technical aspects of Fonterra including making contacts with people in diverse areas of the industry that will be of great benefit in building your career. You will also have the opportunity to attain a Masters in Food Science as part of programme.
The FGTP year begins in December with a three-week induction course held at Fonterra Research Centre (FRC) in Palmerston North. During the summer, you will be immersed in dairy with practical work experience at a Fonterra dairy plant -- working shifts in a process operator role. Over the winter, you will be based back at the FRC for a 10 week integrated course of lectures, tutorials, practical work, exercises and projects covering business units, dairy science, technology and engineering, operational excellence, and the technology, science, product development and marketing of dairy products. You then return to a Fonterra site and have the option to complete an individual research project.
What We Look For - New Zealand Graduates
We are looking for talented people who are passionate, innovative and possess a "can do" attitude to help us lead the way in dairy. The following competencies will give you a hint of what we look for in a potential leader:
Human Resources Graduate Programme
We are a NZ co-operative who exist to secure the prosperity for the future NZ by bringing dairy goodness to the world. Our dairy know-how and expertise is built on generations of knowledge, expertise and passion. We are committed to sustainable dairying and the communities where we operate. Are you ready for Fonterra?
We realise you may not yet have decided on an area of speciality within business, so the Fonterra Commerce Graduate Programme will provide you with exposure to a wide variety of roles through four or more rotations over a two year period. You will have the opportunity to shadow senior managers and will contribute to team projects.
As an HR graduate you will be working in a fast paced environment using your interpersonal skills to navigate in a dynamic and changing business environment.
HR Graduates will work alongside a HR Manager and support a dedicated area of business and gain exposure to a full range of HR activities including:
- Talent Development
- Organisational Development
- Employee Relations
- Health and Safety
- Project Management
With a major in Human Resources ideal candidates will be resilient and willing to take risks with your own development. You have drive, ambition and maturity along with a broad interest in business. A second language or secondary focus in your degree is preferable – ideally management or strategy.
Ideally we employ graduates who couple their studies with extra-curricular activities that demonstrate ambition to perform at a high level, lead others and achieve results.
You will be rewarded with an attractive salary, an annual incentive based on your performance as well as that of the business and opportunities for promotion when you are ready to take that next step.
We have sites in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, South Canterbury and Southland Regions, so to get the most out of your career with Fonterra, it is an advantage that you are mobile.
If you have a positive attitude, willingness to learn and are a real team player, give your career the best start!
Clint Brown University of Waikato (BSS HR Management and IR)
I attended the University of Waikato obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. I was attracted to Fonterra as it's New Zealand's largest company, has a global reach, is important for our economy and is working for farmers which really appealed to me.
I joined Fonterra as an HR Graduate in July 2010. I started within Global Sales and Optimisation Trading and Sourcing (OTS) for my first rotation. This gave me great overview of how Fonterra works and how we interact with our global customers. I learnt the fundamentals of 'real world' HR that has equip me with the skills and knowledge to have a successful Career. In my second rotation I moved into Information Systems. Here I really learnt that the sheer size of Fonterra means the different divisions have their own unique cultures and working styles.
A real highlight for me was after the completion my second rotation when I got the opportunity for a three month secondment to work with the International Farming Ventures team in Beijing, China. I was able to work with HR to setup of our China farms which involved working closely with farm leadership and setting up Learning and Development programmes. This international experience is invaluable and something I will always remember as well as a great addition to my skills and experience.
After this secondment I was offered a full time role in International Farming Ventures as an HR Advisor. This allows me to continue developing my skills in New Zealand but also further my international knowledge with various projects based overseas.
I have learnt Fonterra really does place a heavy investment in the Learning and Development of its employees and my experiences have been priceless.
