Principal Advisor - Maintenance, Repairs & Operations (MRO)
Lead the next exciting evolution of the MRO category
Great opportunity to work for a global mining company that works to leave a lasting, positive legacy
Join a global network and diverse team where people are encouraged to offer unique perspectives and build knowledge and connections
Permanent Role based in Perth
About the role
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
From sourcing mining solutions of the future, to creating businesses with host communities, or building new supply chains around our greenfield assets, the importance of Procurement in Rio Tinto’s success has never been greater.
To support this, we are looking for a Principal Advisor, Maintenance, Repairs & Operations (MRO). You will lead the MRO category team and drive excellence in portfolio and supplier relationship management. This includes supporting our transformation journey focused on digitisation, continuous improvement, and enhancing the guided buying experience.
You will execute the next evolution of the MRO category strategy, building on established partnerships with key strategic suppliers and internal stakeholder groups to further simplify the way Rio Tinto sources large volumes of consumables across its Australian and New Zealand operations. The standardisation of core product ranges, buy channel automation and improved demand management through data-driven insights remain central themes to delivering greater optimisation across the portfolio
We are looking for a highly driven and commercially astute leader with a strong transformation mindset and passion for developing people and fostering a positive team culture.
It is an excellent opportunity to join a high performing, collaborative team and showcase your leadership abilities to help us achieve the RGS vision of “driving procurement excellence through an engaged and empowered team”.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Regional Goods & Services, some of the role accountabilities include:
Lead a high performing team, fostering respect, inclusive, and accountable culture while developing capability. Develop and evolve category strategy while deepening market knowledge, leveraging cross industry practices and taking advantage of emerging technologies to drive value
Collaborate with business stakeholders and cross-functional working groups to design and deliver against MRO strategic priorities
Implement process improvements and automation initiatives to drive transactional efficiencies and improve end-user experience
Establish long term, sustainable relationships with key suppliers, based on innovation, sustainability, and mutual value creation
What you’ll bring
To be successfully considered for this role, you will demonstrate a strong passion for continuous improvement, identifying new ways of working and leveraging AI & emerging technologies to enhance MRO performance across the entire value chain
You will bring a curious and introspective mindset, actively seeking insights from leading “best-in-class" organisations. You will translate these insights into a compelling vision for MRO and collaborate with stakeholders to align with and adopt this direction.
Demonstrated leadership capability with experience developing people and building high performing teams
Significant category management experience with proven ability to develop and implement complex commercial strategies
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to constructively influence and engage stakeholders effectively
A transformation mindset with strong project management, problem solving and analytical skills.
Effective time management skills and the ability to balance multiple and competing priorities.
A strong drive to deliver outcomes and continuously improve performance
What we offer
A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
Flexible working from home arrangements as per operational requirements
18 weeks of gender-neutral and equal paid parental leave, with continued superannuation contributions whilst employees are on unpaid or half paid parental leave
A competitive 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
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)
Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
Where you will be working
Rio Tinto Procurement (RTP) provides supply chain services that deliver value to the Rio Tinto Group through end to end Category Management (strategy, strategic sourcing, and buying of goods and services and strategic customer, supplier and market management). Playing a fundamental role, value is achieved through uniformed processes, e-technology, increased corporate social responsibility and measurable saving for the Group.
Application Deadline: 23rd June 2026
(Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)
Please note, in order to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions.
Rio Tinto does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles from recruiters or employment agencies. Rio Tinto will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee relating to unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles. Rio Tinto reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited CVs or candidate profiles, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Rio Tinto.
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
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.
