Specialist Business Improvement

Rio Tinto

Posted on:  7th Jan 2026
  • 5 days on, 2 days off, 4 days on, 3 days off, FIFO or residential, Karratha, Western Australia.

  • Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion

  • 12-month fixed term opportunity

About the role

Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Operations Excellence team at our Dampier Ports in the Pilbara region of Western Australia is looking to recruit an experienced Specialist Business Improvement to drive innovation and site initiatives to deliver additional sustained value in accordance with company safety, environmental and statutory requirements.

The Operational Excellence team works across a diverse portfolio including Improvement Projects, Continuous Improvement, Change Management, Capital, Risk and the Management Operating System.

Reporting to the Superintendent Business Improvement key responsibilities for the position will be:

  • Facilitating and leading high value projects across site using recognised Business Improvement methodologies

  • Coaching and influencing project owners to deliver results quickly and with maximum value

  • Interpreting costs and production drivers to inform strategic thinking and the evaluation and prioritisation of initiatives

  • Undertaking KPI analysis, improvements and project work designed to identify opportunities to add business value

  • Assisting in the facilitation of our transformation programme

  • Creating a site culture of sustainable improvement.

About you

To be considered for this position applicants will have:

  • A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Engineering or related discipline

  • Business Improvement certification (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar) is desirable

  • Experience leading high value business improvement projects using various methods and tools for delivery

  • Familiarity with Agile methodologies

  • Advanced Microsoft office skills

  • Extensive experience using business improvement processes within the mining, manufacturing or heavy industry

  • Demonstrated capability to facilitate workshops

  • Project management and project team leadership experience

  • Confident interpersonal style with experience collaborating across a diverse stakeholder group to provide appropriate coaching, mentoring and technical support to operational teams

  • Highly effective leadership, organizational, time management and analytical skills;

  • Ability to work in a high-pace role, managing deliverables and stakeholders whilst maintaining autonomy and self-motivation

  • A current C class manual drivers’ license

What we offer

Be recognised 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 fixed term position working directly for Rio Tinto

  • A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience

  • 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 & cultural leave)

  • Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

Where you'll be working

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own a world-class, integrated network of 18 mines, 4 independent port terminals, a rail network spanning nearly 2,000 kilometres and related infrastructure – all designed to respond rapidly to changes in demand. We are one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of iron ore.

Applications close 20th January 2026 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

About Rio TintoRio 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 situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and InclusionAt 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.

Get this job