Head of Merchandise - Nutrition

Lead Category Strategy and Drive Commercial Excellence

Lead transformation in a flagship category at the heart of Farmlands’ rural strategy. Farmlands – Te Whenua Tāroa is seeking a strategic, commercially driven leader to take full ownership of our market-leading bagged animal nutrition portfolio - core to our livestock and farming customer base.

This is a rare opportunity to drive transformation, deliver commercial results, and set the standard for category excellence in a uniquely complex and high-impact environment.

Mō te whai waahi | About the opportunity

Want to hear from our CEO, CMO, GM Strategy and peers about the role? Click here to watch the video  (or if viewing on Seek - click apply to access via our careers site).

Reporting to the CMO, as Head of Merchandise - Nutrition - you will :

• Own the commercial strategy with full P&L responsibility, pricing, margin management, and supplier strategy across B2B and B2C channels
• Lead a high-performing team of Category Managers, Specialists, and Coordinators, driving capability uplift, succession planning, and a culture of innovation and accountability
• Navigate complexity including margin pressure, supplier volatility, and rapid market evolution are the norm. Your ability to forecast, adapt, and lead through ambiguity will be critical to maintaining our market leadership
• Drive transformation and shape Farmlands’ commercial nutrition strategy—leading high-profile projects such as new brand integration, digital channel expansion, and sustainability initiatives, all backed by strong executive support and investment in technology and data.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with technical, supply chain, and commercial teams, and work closely with the Chief Merchandising Officer and executive team, with visibility and influence at the highest levels

Mōhou ake | About you

You are a proven commercial / category leader with :

• Deep experience in category management and P&L ownership
• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering category strategies that drive commercial results in complex, high-stakes environments
• A track record of launching exclusive product lines, managing complex vendor negotiations, and driving sustained margin growth
• Strong leadership skills, with experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and building capability
• Strategic, collaborative, and data-driven, with the ability to influence and adapt to changing market needs

We welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills from industries such as FMCG, retail, supply chain, or commercial operations. A passion for learning and a customer-first mindset are key.

You don’t need a rural or nutrition background—what matters most is your strength in merchandise leadership, category strategy, and delivering commercial outcomes.

Mō ngā painga | What's in it for you

• Balance that works – Flexible working options, sick leave from Day 1, and paid birthday leave
• Rewarding package – Competitive salary, exclusive shareholder offers, and staff discounts from day one
• Great place to work – Pet-friendly Christchurch office with free parking, great coffee, and a collaborative, down-to-earth team culture
• Grow your career – Access to The Greenhouse learning platform, LinkedIn Learning, and a clear path to senior leadership
• Lead with impact – Work alongside senior leaders who back innovation, autonomy, and commercial excellence

Ready to shape the future of rural merchandising?

Ready to shape the future of rural merchandising? Apply now to lead transformation, drive commercial excellence, and make your mark in a uniquely complex and rewarding environment. Applications close 10 November 2025, but we’re reviewing applications as they come in—so don’t wait.

Mō matou | About us

At Farmlands Te Whenua Tāroa, New Zealand’s largest farming co-operative, we’re driven by three core values : Be You, Minds Open, and See It Through. We support NZ farmers and growers to boost profitability and productivity, aiming to be the trusted partner for everyone connected to the land.

With over 1,200 team members across 80+ locations, we offer diverse operations - from retail and feed production to ecommerce and fuel. Join us to be part of a Kiwi-owned brand that values your uniqueness, creativity, and teamwork in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Please note that the successful candidate will have to go through pre-employment checks before starting with us at Farmlands. These will include two references from your two most recent managers, a Ministry of Justice Check, proof of your right to work in New Zealand, a driver’s licence check and an ACC background check. For certain roles a drug and alcohol test, credit check and AML check may be required.