Maintenance Superintendent
• Be part of the team powering New Zealand’s only aluminium smelter — surrounded by nature and powered by renewable hydroelectricity
• Lead an industrial-scale maintenance team with purpose, challenge and impact
• Permanent leadership opportunity based at Tiwai Point, Invercargill
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the role
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) operates one of the most efficient aluminium smelters in the world, producing some of the highest purity primary aluminium globally. Powered primarily by renewable energy from the Manapouri hydroelectric power station, NZAS plays a critical role in supporting a low‑carbon future.
We are seeking an experienced and driven Maintenance Superintendent to lead one of our maintenance teams. This role is accountable for the health and performance of assets critical to sustaining 24/7 smelter operations, including both planned and breakdown maintenance activities.
This is a leadership opportunity within a technically complex and safety‑critical environment, where your expertise in asset management, people leadership and continuous improvement will directly influence reliability, sustainability, performance and cost effectiveness.
Reporting to the Department Manager and working within a values‑based and safety‑focused environment, you will be responsible for:
• Providing technical and asset management strategic leadership across the department
• Championing a strong safety culture through effective risk management and continuous improvement
• Developing and implementing lifecycle asset strategies and reliability‑centred maintenance plans
• Supporting capital and sustaining project delivery for department infrastructure
• Leading, coaching and developing a high‑performing team of maintainers, project managers and technical specialists
About you
• A commitment to the safety of yourself and others
• A relevant engineering degree or trade background with demonstrated leadership experience
• Proven experience in the operation and maintenance of large‑scale industrial plant and systems
• A strong track record of leading high‑performing teams with a focus on safety, engagement and performance
• Well‑developed communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience with SAP, Ellipse or similar asset management systems (desirable)
What we offer
• A key leadership role in a critical operational area with genuine impact
• Competitive salary and benefits including medical insurance, superannuation, incentive awards and paid parental leave
• Access to the Rio Tinto share ownership plan
• Career progression and technical development opportunities within a global organisation
• A safety‑focused and inclusive working environment
• Domestic or Australian relocation assistance where required
Where you’ll be working
NZAS is located at Tiwai Point near Invercargill, at the southern tip of Aotearoa New Zealand. Invercargill offers an easy, relaxed lifestyle with affordable living, short commutes and access to some of the country’s most stunning natural environments.
Just two hours from Queenstown, you’ll have world‑class skiing, hiking, mountain biking and wineries within reach, making Southland an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family.
#gts
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 situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ 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.
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Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being 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 who we are.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.