Manager Process Improvement

Rio Tinto • Charlotte, NC

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion. Our friendly teams look after each other because your safety and wellbeing are always our priority. Join a leading global company. We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide 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. Manager Process Improvement Lead process improvement, process safety, CapEx, and operational excellence across Rio Tinto Lithium’s global operations. Technical Services role supporting all Lithium sites and systems. Accountable for embedding consistent operational excellence systems, standards, and ways of working. About the role: Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. We are seeking a Manager Process Improvement to lead process engineering performance across Rio Tinto Lithium. This role is accountable for driving improvement priorities and process safety programs that ensure strong technical capability across sites to support safe, reliable, and efficient production outcomes. This role operates at a functional leadership level across multiple sites and will: Lead process improvement engineering across Lithium operations. Strengthen process safety and risk management practices. Define, lead and embed operational excellence systems, standards, and ways of working across processing operations. Working closely with site leadership and technical teams, this role translates business requirements into practical engineering solutions and drives consistent approaches to process optimization and performance improvement. Reporting to the GM Manufacturing & Technical Services for Lithium, this role entails: Process improvement and operational excellence leadership: Lead process improvement and operational excellence across Lithium operations, ensuring consistent technical support and capability across sites. Promote sound engineering practices, innovation, and disciplined operational excellence in processing operations. Maintain strong relationships with site leadership, technical services, and operational teams. Standards and technical governance: Define and maintain standards for evaluating processes, equipment, and plant performance. Ensure alignment to Rio Tinto frameworks, including process safety and operational excellence systems. Maintain awareness of emerging processing technologies and drive adoption where relevant. Operational performance and improvement: Identify, prioritize, and allocate improvement initiatives across sites. Direct processing studies and evaluations to improve capacity, efficiency, and cost performance. Lead technical reviews, cross-site audits, and knowledge sharing to drive consistency and performance. Manage, run and maintain capital investment programs and ensure alignment between business needs overall capital improvement programs. Production and planning support: Influence and support production planning, balancing quality, cost, volume, and HSE considerations. Provide technical input into operational and project planning activities. People leadership and capability: Lead and develop a team of process engineering professionals and leaders. Set objectives, manage performance, and build technical and leadership capability across the function.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement or process engineering initiatives across complex operations
• Strong understanding of industrial processing and process safety in a manufacturing or processing environment
• Proven ability to translate business objectives into scalable process improvements across multiple sites
• Experience developing and embedding technical standards, frameworks, and improvement systems
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability across global operational and technical leadership levels
• Experience leading teams and building capability within a multi-site or global business
• A data-driven mindset, using operational insights to drive decision-making and performance outcomes

Nice To Haves

• Experience working across multiple commodities or processing environments
• Experience supporting organisational integration or operating in a changing environment

Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement engineering across Lithium operations
• Strengthen process safety and risk management practices
• Define, lead and embed operational excellence systems, standards, and ways of working across processing operations
• Define and maintain standards for evaluating processes, equipment, and plant performance
• Ensure alignment to Rio Tinto frameworks, including process safety and operational excellence systems
• Maintain awareness of emerging processing technologies and drive adoption where relevant
• Identify, prioritize, and allocate improvement initiatives across sites
• Direct processing studies and evaluations to improve capacity, efficiency, and cost performance
• Lead technical reviews, cross-site audits, and knowledge sharing to drive consistency and performance
• Manage, run and maintain capital investment programs and ensure alignment between business needs overall capital improvement programs
• Influence and support production planning, balancing quality, cost, volume, and HSE considerations
• Provide technical input into operational and project planning activities
• Lead and develop a team of process engineering professionals and leaders
• Set objectives, manage performance, and build technical and leadership capability across the function

Benefits

• Competitive base salary is reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed