Regional Operations Manager - Rio Tinto Exploration

Regional Operations Manager – Rio Tinto Exploration

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Join a diverse and dynamic Exploration team in a key leadership position for the Australasia group
• Enjoy regular travel leading logistics and operational activities across a broad project portfolio
• Permanent employment based in Perth, Australia

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Regional Operations Manager to join Rio Tinto Exploration (RTX). The Australasia (AAR) Logistics and Operations team within RTX form a key component of the Australasia region exploration effort. This is a fantastic career opportunity for a highly motivated individual who enjoys travel, is a passionate leader and thrives in a dynamic work environment.

We are an open, connected international team of explorers using some of the most advanced databases and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining.

Reporting to the Exploration Director, you will play an integral role in leading operations and logistics requirements to protect RTX and Rio Tinto value. This dynamic role will support RTX to accelerate the rate of discovery through leadership and field operations within different project environments, where safety and people are a core focus.

You will have a supportive leader who will set you up to make this role your own, encourage personal development and open long-term career pathways within Rio Tinto. We have technical development programmes that are industry-leading and recognise the unique nature of your role. You can grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.

This role provides the opportunity to work within a broad, diverse, and complex operations environment. A true leadership opportunity, key capabilities include planning, construction and management of field camps and bases, management of staff and contractor workforces, management of assets/equipment and implementation of systems. Through effective leadership, coupled with an innate curiosity for continuous improvement, you will:

• Manage field operations related tasks according to relevant Rio Tinto processes including field camp design, contract management for earthwork/drilling and other service providers, budgeting and work estimates, scheduling and logistics, acquisitions and supply chain management
• Manage the operations and logistics teams and contractors, ensuring compliance with Rio Tinto’s internal and locally legislated requirements for workplace health and safety
• Manage reporting and recommendations associated with field operations
• Prepare and execute annual Operations plans and budgets to align with the regional RTX strategy
• Oversee and coordinate the selection and management of contractors
• Coach, train and supervise staff and contractors on requirements for effective planning and safe delivery of field operations and logistics
• Monitor delivery against plans and support teams in quickly adjusting to changing schedules
• Plan and prioritise field activities in line with Project Management Plans
• Provide in-field supervision of team members and ensure appropriate equipment and technology is available with adequately qualified and trained operators
• Ensure teams are compliant with RTX HSEC Standards and Procedures, also meeting all Cultural and Environmental obligations
• Collaborate with broader RTX Operation teams to ensure best practice and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring

As a proven leader, you will hold an innate curiosity to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, coupled with a passion to develop the capability of the Operations & Logistic team members within RTX. Your strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills will also see you effectively partner with internal and external stakeholder groups, including the communities we operate in. This is a dynamic role, and your ability to manage priorities across geographically dispersed workforces will see you excel in this position. Your experience and demonstrated attributes include:

• Priority for safety and desire to work in an organisation where safety, collaboration, mutual respect, integrity and excellence are valued
• Tertiary degree in Geology or related Geoscience field is not essential though will be highly regarded
• Background and/or expert level knowledge in remote logistics operations
• Competence in field operations planning and related risk management
• Extensive experience working in operational support, contractor management and outdoor operations
• Strong IT skills including proficiency in MS Office
• Strong leadership, project management skills, including management of service providers and the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience in mining exploration is not essential though will be highly beneficial
• Ability to establish and manage operations in isolated, remote and culturally diverse environments
• Desire to spend extended periods of time in the field and travel internationally as required

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive. We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Where you’ll be working Rio Tinto's Exploration (RTX) group seeks to create value for the business by discovering or acquiring new mineral resources. Organised into three regional teams (Americas, Australasia, Africa-Europe), the Exploration group provides both a global reach and a local presence across a range of commodities, with a focus on copper, nickel, lithium and iron ore.

Whilst the RTX office is based in Perth, given the regional nature of our Exploration projects there is an ongoing requirement to work in the field at remote project locations domestically (non-mining sites) with an expected frequency of 1-2 weeks per month. The dynamic nature of exploration projects across logistics, earthworks, operations, and storage facilities, coupled with a diverse commodity group, keeps the travel and work requirements interesting. The opportunity to travel internationally will also arise though this will be infrequent in nature. The ability to schedule your time flexibly around field work requirements will be offered in return during your time in Perth.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

Apply today if you want to work with the latest technology and innovation, in an environment where we challenge you to drive positive change towards finding better ways.

Applications close on 28 January 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).