Dairy Processing

As the world’s biggest exporter of dairy products, we produce 21 billion litres of milk for processing each year.

The opportunities for dairy processing operators are growing as our large dairy industry grows, with dairy products being New Zealand’s largest export earner, and over 13,000 people work in dairy processing in New Zealand. Processing plants require a sustainable pipeline of talent; staff that have the right skills and who are ready for the new opportunities ahead. People working as dairy processing operators need to have knowledge of milk chemistry and biology, equipment operation, types of dairy products, health and safety regulations and food safety. Most of these opportunities involve upskilling staff already in the workforce. Working here means working in an industry which is producing delicious, nutritious food for New Zealand and for the world.