Specialist Business Improvement
-
Help shape the future of our new generation mine
-
Front facing role with exposure to exciting streams of work
-
Fly in, Fly out on 8 days on, 6 days off roster from Perth to our Pannawonica operation
About the role
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
We are looking to recruit an experienced Business Improvement Specialist to drive innovation and site initiatives to deliver additional sustained value in accordance with company safety, environmental and statutory requirements at our Pannawonica operations, as part of our Operational Excellence team.
The Operational Excellence team works across a diverse portfolio including Improvement Projects, Continuous Improvement, Change Management, Capital, Risk and the Management Operating System.
This opportunity is suited to a motivated individual who is passionate about driving business improvement and contributing to our organisation's success. If you are ready to make an impact and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping the future of our company.
You’ll be part of a supportive team, supported by your Leader to grow and achieve your own personal goals as well as the goals of the team. You’ll work an 8 days on, 6 days off roster which will give you more time to spend on the things that are important to you and the people in your life.
Reporting to the Principal Business Improvement you 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 program
-
Creating a site culture of sustainable improvement.
What You’ll Bring
-
A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team, and alignment with our values of Care, Courage, and Curiosity
-
Respect for others and an all-inclusive mindset
-
Experience in problem solving, process improvement, project leadership, change management, stakeholder engagement or similar
-
Highly effective leadership, organisational, time management and analytical skills
-
Ability to work in a high-pace role, managing deliverables and stakeholders whilst maintaining autonomy and self-motivation
-
A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Engineering, or related discipline
-
Certification in Six Sigma (Black/Green Belt) or, significant experience with Lean Methodology, showcasing a commitment to operational efficiency and excellence
-
Experience leading Kaizen projects
-
Familiarity with Agile methodologies
-
Advanced Microsoft office skills
-
Extensive experience using business improvement processes within the mining, manufacturing, or heavy industry
-
Demonstrated workshop facilitation capability
-
Project team leadership experience
-
A current C class manual drivers’ licence
If you are excited about the role and think you have what it takes but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you.
We are committed to promoting diversity within Rio Tinto and as a special measure to we strongly encourage women to apply.
What we offer
-
Be recognised for your contribution, you’re 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
-
Full relocation provided to Western Australia from elsewhere in Australia
-
A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive bonus
-
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, cultural leave)
-
Work on Country with a residential role which offers company housing and financial support with living expenses including rent and utilities (power and water).
-
To better suit different family needs, our paid parental leave approach gives all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives – at a time that suits them
-
Exclusive employee discounts including hotel stays, banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more.
We are committed to elevating Indigenous voices and increasing cultural knowledge in our business. Diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together. To help you on your journey with us, you’ll also have access to:
-
Specialist Indigenous Support Advisors are always there for our Indigenous employees and available to support through any aspect of your employment
-
Dedicated Indigenous Talent Programme for our Operators and Tradespersons and entry level operational roles. This programme is designed to create long term sustainable careers for our Indigenous Employees to grow into leadership or technical pathways to ensure you have every opportunity to grow your career.
-
Indigenous leadership programmes across some professional and operational roles to ensure that we are developing Indigenous Leaders.
Where you will be working
Located in the scenic Pilbara region and close to the major centre of Karratha, the vibrant town offers a sought-after lifestyle and affordable living in comfortable subsidised housing.
This is a great opportunity for you and your family to contribute to a unique community and enjoy a wide range of seasonal outdoor activities; allowing you to find the perfect balance between leisure and work. From the popular annual rodeo event to other regular social and cultural activities, local residents can make the most of modern amenities.
The town of Pannawonica is supported by a resident doctor, an excellent primary school with options to undertake secondary school studies in a supervised distance education program, supermarket, and a local community gym and youth centre.
Applications close on the 7th September 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-3-9845
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.
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
- 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
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.