Fonterra Cooperative Ltd says its chief financial officer Jonathan Mason will retire in the next six months and has started an international search to replace him.
Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings says Jonathan Mason had always indicated Fonterra would be his last full time role.
"Jonathan joined Fonterra in the midst of the global financial crisis in 2009 and, under his leadership, ensured the cooperative's financial position was strengthened through those difficult times," says Spierings.
"Jonathan has also played a leading role in the launch of Trading Among Farmers, which has significantly improved the cooperative's capital structure.
"Jonathan will leave Fonterra in a much stronger position and we are grateful to him for this contribution."
Spierings says Mason has agreed to support the cooperative through to the end of the financial year while Fonterra identified a successor.