Procurement Category Specialist

Rio Tinto • Boron, CA

2d • $125,440 - $172,480 • Hybrid

About The Position

Rio Tinto Borates is hiring a Procurement Category Specialists to support California Operations (Boron and Wilmington). This position reports directly to the Site Procurement Manager and serves as category leader within a defined portfolio. This role offers 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 the successful candidate 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.

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
• SAP Materials Management experience preferred

Nice To Haves

• Strong preference for a candidate with experience in the Southern California natural gas market, including tariff structures, transportation economics, and regulatory considerations.
• The ideal candidate can interpret pipeline/utility tariffs, understand basis differentials and transportation constraints, and translate that knowledge into contract terms and sourcing recommendations.
• Familiarity with California-specific regulatory and compliance requirements (and how they impact commercial structures and risk) is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy for chemicals, fuels, and energy-related categories critical to mining and processing operations.
• Natural gas contracting and execution: Develop sourcing strategies aligned to site demand, burn forecasts, and operational constraints. Run competitive events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) and/or negotiate directly with marketers, utilities, and brokers as appropriate. Manage contract award, nominations/confirmations handoffs, and ongoing supplier performance to ensure continuity of supply.
• Sulfuric Acid: Secure reliable supply for process requirements, balancing delivered cost, quality specifications, and safety requirements. Coordinate with Operations/HSE on storage, handling, and delivery scheduling (rail/truck) to minimize disruption and risk. Monitor market drivers (sulfur, smelter outages, logistics constraints) and implement mitigation plans.
• Diesel and Lubricants supply agreements: Establish supply frameworks covering bulk fuel, packaged lubes, and on-site service support (as applicable). Negotiate pricing mechanisms, surcharges, and service levels (delivery windows, minimums, emergency supply). Drive value through demand management, inventory optimization, and supplier performance/KPI reviews.
• Process chemicals and bulk reagents: Manage end-to-end sourcing for critical reagents, ensuring alignment to technical specifications and production needs. Partner with Engineering/Operations to validate specifications, identify alternates, and challenge requirements to lower total cost. Implement supply continuity plans (dual sourcing, safety stock, logistics contingencies) for high-risk materials.
• Industrial gases: Source bulk and packaged gases and related services (delivery, cylinder management, on-site installations where applicable). Evaluate contract models (merchant supply vs. on-site generation) and negotiate commercial terms, uptime/service levels, and escalation clauses. Coordinate with stakeholders on demand forecasting and safety/compliance requirements for storage and handling.
• Index-based pricing and contract structuring: Build and negotiate pricing formulas tied to relevant indices (e.g., energy, feedstock, freight) with clear caps, floors, and pass-through logic. Define contract governance: term, renewal options, volume bands, performance credits, and dispute/escalation processes. Partner with Finance and stakeholders to validate should-cost models and quantify savings/value.
• Market intelligence and supplier risk mitigation: Track market trends, supplier dynamics, and cost drivers; translate insights into category strategies and negotiation levers. Assess and manage risks (single-source, logistics, financial viability, ESG/HSE) and implement mitigation actions. Maintain supplier performance scorecards and lead periodic business reviews with corrective action plans.
• 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