Dairy Goat Co-operative chief executive Dave Stanley is to step down from the role from early next year.
Mr Stanley has headed what is one of the country's largest infant formula manufacturers for 20 years.
The Waikato company has grown from a small cottage industry to a $130 million a year export business, which employs 170 people.
The co-operative has 60 farmer shareholders and is soon to start building its second milk-powder drier and its own can-making factory, a $67 million investment.
Mr Stanley says he no longer wants to work full-time and will pursue other interests when he leaves next March.
He will be succeeded by the co-operative's deputy CEO Tony Giles.
