Senior Advisor Contract and Vendor Management

Senior Advisor Contract and Vendor Management

• Bridge service delivery and vendor management within Rio Tinto OT.

• Maintain visibility across contracts and vendor performance.

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships across the business.

• Permanent role based in Perth or Brisbane, Australia.

About the role

This opportunity blends Service Delivery Management and Contract and Vendor Advisory expertise to ensure high-quality service outcomes and strategic vendor performance.

As our preferred applicant you bridge operational needs with commercial oversight, managing service levels, driving continuous improvement and maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Your role will provide visibility across both delivery and contracts, you align vendor performance with business goals while mitigating risk and maximising value. Additionally, you will lead vendor management activities for the Operational Technology team (part of IS&T Technology Platforms).

Join us and be responsible for driving an effective link between our service lines, procurement and vendors to maximise value from our contracts.

Responsibilities

Strategic Alignment

Applies Rio Tinto’s Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) framework to Operational Technology (OT).

Sets clear vendor objectives in collaboration with OT leadership – Contract & Relationship Oversight. Maintains deep knowledge of all OT vendor contracts.

Act as the primary contact for OT contract-related information. Provide relevant context to stakeholders during meetings.

Performance Monitoring & Insights – Regularly measure vendor performance using KPIs and SLAs. Analyse usage and performance data to identify improvement opportunities and maximise value.

Communication & Engagement – Maintains open, transparent communication with vendors. Conduct regular check-ins to address concerns and build trust.

Continuous Improvement – Holds performance reviews to discuss issues, recognise achievements, and drive service improvements.

Relationship Management

Partner Engagement – Chairs a Partner Forum with OT leaders, Procurement, and occasionally vendors to foster collaboration and address key topics.

Collaborative Vendor Relationships – Builds respectful, constructive partnerships by providing feedback and recognising vendor contributions.

Data & Financial Management

Maintains a contract snapshot repository to ensure visibility and informed decision-making. Supports use of technology for automated tracking and reporting.

Contract & Financial Oversight – Tracks upcoming contract renewals and coordinates with relevant teams on strategy and requirements. Manages vendor invoice queries, validation, and financial forecasting.

Risk Management

Risk Identification & Classification – Categorise vendors by risk level (low, medium, high). Monitor risks continuously, even post-contract.

Performance & Compliance Monitoring – Conduct vendor assessments and regular audits. Track performance, compliance, and financial health.

Issue Response & Action Plans – Ensure vendors have plans to address weaknesses or policy breaches.

Contingency Planning – Prepare for disruptions with backup vendors or mitigation strategies.

Post-Contract Review – Evaluate vendor performance after contract ends. Use insights to improve future risk strategies and transitions.

Vendor Contract Management

Aids in the vendor selection and onboarding process where required by Rio RTP/Procurement team.

What you’ll bring

As our preferred applicant, you will have demonstrated skills and competencies across:

Service-Oriented Mindset
Ensure the team maintains the right attitude and behaviour when supporting internal service lines.

Continuous Improvement
Adopt a mindset focused on ongoing enhancement of service delivery processes.

Vendor Relationship Management
Build stronger, more transparent relationships with vendors, moving beyond engagement with just one or two.

Vendor Landscape Visibility
Gain a clear, comprehensive understanding of the entire OT (Operational Technology) vendor ecosystem, which is currently lacking.

Alignment with Service Lines
Recognise that each service line includes its own set of vendors and success involves managing those relationships effectively.

What we offer

• We offer a range of flexible working and leave options, so you can balance your work and life commitments and interests. Have a conversation with us about how this could work for you, including requests for part time hours.

• Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you have helped the world progress.

• An excellent 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.

• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options.

• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions.

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

• Domestic relocation if required.

Where you will be working 

Rio Tinto Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) operates to enable better alignment with customer priorities, end-to-end accountability, and flexibility to prioritise critical work. The function provides solutions that are aligned with current and future business requirements through the development and ongoing delivery of IT strategy and solution roadmaps.   

Through appropriate governance, consultative processes, and the use of industry best practices, IS&T also ensures that emerging technologies and innovative ideas are constantly evaluated, considered, and adopted, to provide easy-to-use, best-in-class solutions and services.

#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.

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.

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