Fonterra is about to recruit ''on its back doorstep'', as well as further afield, to fill about 70 vacancies coming up at its Edendale dairy processing plant.
For the first time, it will mount a job information stand at the town's vintage machinery Crank Up Weekend at the end of the month.
It was a chance to ''drum up interest'' among Edendale residents and visitors from around the region, Fonterra southern operations manager, Richard Gray said.
''It is a pretty significant number of vacancies ... This event is right on our back doorstep, and from a timing point of view, suits us well.''
Most of the additional staff were needed from the start of the 2015-16 milking season in August, he said, although some positions would be filled before then.
The idea of a stand came from a ''brainstorming session'' about how to publicise the vacancies and the recruitment process, as well as the $157 million expansion project at Edendale, Mr Gray said.
''We've never done something like this before but everyone thought it was a great idea.''
Fonterra Edendale, already the world's largest dairy processing site by volume, employs about 650 staff, including 200 tanker drivers.
The expansion includes construction of a 2900sq m building housing three new processing plants - a milk protein concentrate plant to separate protein from skim milk and turn it into protein powder, a reverse osmosis plant to increase capacity on a drier, and an anhydrous milk fat plant - plus an upgrade for the on-site wastewater treatment plant and electricity supply.
The new plants will boost staff numbers by 38 to 40 staff, and more than 30 seasonal workers are also being sought.
There was work for electricians, engineers, process operators, cleaners and ''a couple of managers'', Mr Gray said.
Most positions were full-time, permanent roles.
The seasonal workers would help during the peak processing period, he said.
The new positions had already been advertised internally and about 100 staff, most of them already working at the Edendale site, had expressed an interest in transferring.
If Edendale staff transferred, other positions at the plant would need to be to ''backfilled'', he said.
Construction of the new building began in September. Mr Gray said work was on schedule, helped by sunny, dry weather over spring and summer.
The plant machinery was expected on site by the end of this month.
The 28th Edendale Vintage Machinery Club Crank Up Weekend will be held on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, at Edendale Recreation Ground and on the paddocks of the Fonterra farm.
Special guest is retired police detective inspector Graham Bell, former host of the Police Ten 7 programme.
Entertainment includes police-themed displays, country music, pipe bands, pedal-powered vintage shearing, working machinery displays, lawnmower racing, vintage car and machinery displays, and craft and food stalls.
Entry is $15 for adults, children under 16 free.
For more information about work opportunities at Fonterra go to www.fonterra.com/careers.
