HortResearch boss Paul McGilvary has been appointed as chief executive at Fonterra rival Tatua Co-operative Dairy.
McGilvary will take up the position in early June, replacing Mike Matthews who retired in December after 13 years with the company.
In the year ending May 31 Tatua had revenue of$145.4 million and distributed $51.5 million to its suppliers.
McGilvary has been chief executive of horticultural and food research company HortResearch since 2002, having worked offshore with the New Zealand Dairy Board and as managing director at NZMP for Europe.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration with Honours in Economics, graduating from Victoria University and has completed the Senior Executive Programme at Stanford University in America, as well as the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD in France.
Executive chairman Steve Allen said McGilvary had international dairy experience, strategic ability, and commercial acumen.
"We believe his empathy with science, technology, research and new product development in the food industry makes Paul an excellent appointment for Tatua," Allen said.
The company was having an improved season in 2007/08 and the added value business was progressing well, he said.
