Procurement Category Specialist

Rio Tinto • Boron, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Procurement Category Specialists Be part of a safety-driven team that values inclusion and respect. Join a leading company that offers outstanding personal development and global career opportunities. Rio Tinto Borates - Boron & Wilmington, CA Hybrid Role – Minimum 3 Days Per Week Onsite Band: I The salary range for this role in California is $125,440 - $172,480 About these Roles Rio Tinto Borates is hiring multiple Procurement Category Specialists to support California Operations (Boron and Wilmington). These positions report directly to the Site Procurement Manager and serve as category leaders within a defined portfolio. These roles offer exposure to site ownership, project management, and category strategy development within a global procurement framework. Working directly with Operations, Engineering, HSE, IT, and site leadership, the successful candidates will deliver strategic sourcing outcomes and commercial value. This is a hybrid role, however successful candidates will be required to work onsite at Boron CA or Wilmington CA a minimum of three days per week to ensure strong operational alignment and stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the Procurement Manager you will: Chemicals & Fuels Category Specialist (Strong Southern California natural gas market knowledge strongly preferred) Lead procurement strategy for chemicals, fuels, and energy-related categories critical to mining and processing operations. Scope includes: Natural gas contracting and execution Sulfuric Acid Diesel and Lubricants supply agreements Process chemicals and bulk reagents Industrial gases Index-based pricing and contract structuring Market intelligence and supplier risk mitigation Strong preference for candidates with experience in the Southern California natural gas market, including tariff structures, transportation economics, and regulatory considerations. Indirect Procurement Category Specialist (IT and Corporate Services Focus) Lead procurement strategy across indirect categories with emphasis on IT procurement. Scope includes: Software licensing and SaaS agreements IT hardware and digital systems Managed service agreements Technology vendor negotiations Data security and compliance requirements Corporate indirect category management MRO & Industrial Supplies Category Specialist Lead procurement strategy for Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) and industrial supply categories. Scope includes: Industrial consumables and tooling Supplier consolidation initiatives Vendor-managed inventory models Working capital and inventory optimization Total cost of ownership improvements Core Responsibilities (All Positions) Serve as category lead within assigned portfolio Develop and maintain stakeholder-approved Category Strategies Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP processes Conduct commercial analysis and present sourcing recommendations Lead complex negotiations and secure strategic outcomes Draft and execute contracts and Master Service Agreements Ensure supplier qualification and compliance with Rio Tinto Procurement Policy Deliver measurable savings and value creation Partner closely with site leadership to support operational continuity. Transition selected category management responsibilities currently supported by corporate teams into the site organization Support separation activities including contract novation, supplier transitions, and procurement readiness planning as required. About You Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or related discipline preferred 2+ years of procurement or project management experience Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills Analytical and critical thinking capability Ability to challenge specifications and drive commercial value Strong health, safety, and ethical mindset SAP Materials Management experience preferred What we offer We are committed to providing a generous benefits package to recognize your contributions, your way of thinking and your hard work. Therefore, our benefits include: A safety-focused and inclusive working environment. Access to family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits. A 401(k)-matching program in which the company matches .35 per dollar up to 5% of your base pay. A generous employee share program which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto shares. Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: paid time off, paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave. A favorable child-caregiver leave program. Ongoing Employee Assistance Program for you and your family to address educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns. Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to incentives to support your wellbeing. About Rio Tinto 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 to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs while striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce them with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. We need you, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities Where you’ll be working Rio Tinto Borates is a global leader in industrial mineral supply and science. We supply approximately 25% of the world’s demand for refined borates, minerals essential to life and modern living. Our 20 Mule Team Borax brand pays tribute to our first borates mining operation in Death Valley in 1872. 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 Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity. Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information. A drive for innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of our company's purpose: Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Here, you’ll find a home for curious people who care about their work and colleagues, are courageous about finding better ways to do things, and are empowered to adapt quickly to solve problems and meet opportunities. 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or related discipline preferred
• 2+ years of procurement or project management experience
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Analytical and critical thinking capability
• Ability to challenge specifications and drive commercial value
• Strong health, safety, and ethical mindset

Nice To Haves

• Strong Southern California natural gas market knowledge strongly preferred
• SAP Materials Management experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as category lead within assigned portfolio
• Develop and maintain stakeholder-approved Category Strategies
• Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP processes
• Conduct commercial analysis and present sourcing recommendations
• Lead complex negotiations and secure strategic outcomes
• Draft and execute contracts and Master Service Agreements
• Ensure supplier qualification and compliance with Rio Tinto Procurement Policy
• Deliver measurable savings and value creation
• Partner closely with site leadership to support operational continuity.
• Transition selected category management responsibilities currently supported by corporate teams into the site organization
• Support separation activities including contract novation, supplier transitions, and procurement readiness planning as required.

Benefits

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment.
• Access to family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• A 401(k)-matching program in which the company matches .35 per dollar up to 5% of your base pay.
• A generous employee share program which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto shares.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: paid time off, paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A favorable child-caregiver leave program.
• Ongoing Employee Assistance Program for you and your family to address educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to incentives to support your wellbeing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees