Operations Supervisor – WWNP Fixed Plant

Operations Supervisor – WWNP Fixed Plant | GOVE, NT

• Join a supportive leadership group dedicated to your growth and development.
• Secure a permanent position with a fantastic range of benefits.
• Embrace a culturally rich coastal lifestyle in beautiful Gove.
• Enjoy domestic relocation assistance within Australia.
   

About the role
 

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
 

The Operations Supervisor is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the WWNP (Waste Water Neutralisation Plant). The primary objective is to support the treatment of contaminated water from the Residual Disposal Area (RDA) and ensure its controlled discharge to the sea channel in alignment with our Water Discharge Licence (WDL).
 

This role requires strong leadership, a commitment to safety, and the ability to coordinate with contractors, engineers, and support teams to deliver operational excellence while maintaining environmental and safety standards.
 

At WWNP, safety isn't just a priority, it’s non-negotiable. While the role carries significant responsibilities, you’re never on your own. You’ll be part of a high-performing team that pulls together to get the job done. When things get tough, we go “ALL IN.” Collaboration, open communication, and teamwork are key to our continued success, especially as we navigate exciting changes ahead.
 

Key Responsibilities
 

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure all operations are conducted in line with Rio Tinto’s safety systems and procedures.
• Lead by example in safety practices and compliance with environmental responsibilities under the WDL.
• Participate in safety investigations and audits, implementing corrective and preventative measures.
• Conduct safety interactions and identify potential hazards, taking timely and appropriate action.
   

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily operations of the WWNP fixed plant, ensuring activities are well-planned and executed efficiently.
• Ensure operational tasks are aligned with work schedules and priorities.
• Monitor plant and equipment performance, escalate issues, and support maintenance follow-ups.
• Coordinate with process engineers and contractor operators to ensure clarity and consistency in operational procedures.
   

Contractor & Team Engagement

• Act as the first point of contact for contractors performing fixed plant duties.
• Clearly communicate expectations, safety protocols, and work scopes.
• Conduct regular contractor meetings and ensure timely closure of actions.
• Promote a collaborative work environment and continuous improvement culture.
   

Training & Development

• Identify skill gaps and coordinate training for team members and contractors.
• Foster a learning environment and ensure all team members are informed of operational requirements and policies.

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records of daily checks and operational activities.
• Participate in planning meetings and contribute to status reports on plant and maintenance activities.
• Ensure audit and inspection outcomes are documented and addressed.

Key Working Relationships

• WWNP Superintendents
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Planning and Reliability Teams
• Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
• RDA Personnel
• Process & Lab Teams
   

What You'll Bring:

• Proactive Mindset: A strong commitment to promoting a holistic safe working culture.
• Leadership Experience: Proven experience in operational leadership roles, with the ability to effectively lead, mentor, and coach team members, and engage with senior leaders.
• Team Builder: A passion for building and leading engaged, high-performing teams.
• Contractor Management: Prior experience in managing contractors is a plus.
• Influencing Skills: Strong ability to drive improvements and influence outcomes.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in achieving safety and operational targets.
   

What we offer

• Enjoy domestic relocation assistance.
• Receive a remote area allowance (25% of base salary).
• Benefit from remote area holiday travel assistance.
• Take advantage of heavily subsidised housing and utilities.
• Secure a permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto.
• Earn a competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience, with an annual incentive program.
• Access comprehensive medical benefits, including subsidised private health insurance for you and your immediate family.
• Participate in an attractive share ownership plan.
• Benefit from company-provided insurance cover.
• Explore extensive salary sacrifice and salary packaging options.
• Pursue career development and education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions.
• Enjoy ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support.
• Take leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave).
• Access exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail, and more).

Where you will be working
 

Our Gove Operations have been supplying the global aluminium industry with world-class bauxite for over 40 years. Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, the operation produces approximately 12 million tonnes of bauxite annually.

With a dedicated workforce of 460 people, our daily activities include mine operations, maintenance, asset management, shutdown planning and execution, export operations, cultural heritage management, and closure activities following the decision to close the site’s alumina refinery and associated Residue Disposal Area in 2017.

We anticipate that our bauxite mining operations on the Gove Peninsula will cease in 2030. We are undertaking significant efforts to support the closure of the operation. We also recognize that our operations take place on Indigenous-owned land, and we are committed to working together to achieve a positive future for Nhulunbuy and the Gove Peninsula post-mining.

Applications close on 08th May 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

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.

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.

JOB_POSTING-3-6351