Principal Operational Excellence- Mining Operations

An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.

About the role:

Simandou is transitioning from major project delivery into a large-scale operating environment. We are looking for a Principal Operational Excellence to help build the management systems, operating rhythms and improvement capability required to support that transition and establish a safe, reliable and high-performing operation.

This is not a traditional business improvement role.

Working closely with the General Manager Operations and the Operations leadership team, you will help establish and embed the Mine Operating System (MOS) and create greater clarity around how we set priorities, manage performance, make decisions and continuously improve the operation.

You will work across Mining, Fixed Plant, Maintenance, Technical and supporting functions to translate operational strategy into practical systems, routines and improvement priorities.

Key accountabilities will include:

• Develop, implement and continuously improve the Mine Operating System across Operations.

• Establish practical daily, weekly and monthly operating rhythms, standards and governance.

• Build performance management frameworks, KPIs, scorecards and dashboards that give leaders clear visibility of operational performance.

• Support the Operations leadership team to translate strategy into clear priorities, initiatives, milestones and accountabilities.

• Establish governance for the Operations improvement portfolio and ensure initiatives remain aligned to the highest-value business priorities.

• Identify performance gaps and facilitate structured problem solving, root cause analysis and sustainable improvement.

• Improve the quality and consistency of operational reviews and decision-making.

• Work across Operations, Maintenance, Technical and support functions to solve cross-functional problems and improve end-to-end performance.

• Coach leaders and teams in operational excellence, structured problem solving and performance management.

• Capture lessons learned and progressively build them into standards, systems and ways of working.

• Support longer-term operational planning and capability development as the operation matures.

What you will bring:

We are looking for someone who can combine structured thinking with practical execution.

You may come from mining or heavy industry operations, operational excellence, business improvement, transformation, engineering or management consulting. Direct mining operational experience will be highly regarded, but equally important is your ability to understand complex operating environments, bring structure to ambiguity and work effectively with operational leaders.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience in operational excellence, transformation, business improvement, strategy or performance management within mining, heavy industry or another complex operational environment.

• Direct in experience with the Rio Tinto Operating system

• Experience developing operating systems, governance frameworks, performance routines or improvement portfolios.

• Strong analytical capability and the ability to turn complex operational information into clear insights, priorities and actions.

• Experience developing KPIs, scorecards, dashboards and executive-level performance reporting.

• Strong structured problem-solving capability, including exposure to Lean, Six Sigma or similar improvement methodologies.

• The ability to influence and coordinate across operational, technical and functional teams without relying on formal authority.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively from frontline teams through to senior leadership

• You will have an engineering or business related tertiary qualification.

• Fluency in English and in Chinese will be highly regarded

What makes this opportunity different

This is an opportunity to help build an operating system rather than inherit one.

Simandou is moving through a critical stage in its development. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape how one of the world's most significant new mining operations manages performance, establishes operating discipline and develops its continuous improvement capability.

We are looking for someone who enjoys solving difficult problems, can connect strategy with execution and wants to work directly with operational leaders to build something that will endure.

What we offer

Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.

• Work environment where safety is always the top priority
• Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
• Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
• Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
• Wellness benefits
• Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
• Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)  
   

About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.

Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.