Principal Advisor – Technical Marketing Metallics

Principal Advisor – Technical Marketing Metallics

- Key technical role in a leading global aluminum commercial organization.

- Experienced aluminum slab casting, rolling, and automotive development role.

- Based at the Americas commercial hub in Chicago, IL.

About the role

Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Principal Advisor - Technical marketing for Metallics based in Chicago, IL. Principal Advisors are individual contributors’ part of Rio Tinto North American commercial organization. This role involves leading the development and management of Metallics products, with a focus on Steel Billets and other Metallics products like HPI (High purity Iron) and Sorel flux. By leveraging their extensive technical expertise, the Principal Advisor will utilize their knowledge to drive innovation through the value chain, ensure product quality, and foster strong relationships with both internal teams and external partners in the different markets.

This role is a great opportunity for an experienced professional with strong steel know-how to deliver tangible solutions in the Steel billet, High Purity Iron and Sorel Flux markets, with key accounts through product development and by advocating technical marketing value differentiation. The position is responsible for all aspects of value base delivery, technical support, project management, brand advocacy and product qualification by building a close collaboration with customers. The role will also lead the promotion and development of Metallics products in the marketplace and lead technical relationship with global end-users.

The Principal Advisor will also provide expert opinions to the business by advising sales, strategic marketing, and market development teams globally. The Principal Advisor also holds a key collaboration role with Rio Tinto’s operations and R&D center.

Reporting to the General Manager Metallics, Critical Minerals & RTIT, this role will be:

- Leading the development and technical relationships with strategic partners to create new business opportunities in the markets, in close collaboration with R&D, sales and operation teams.

- Supporting sales teams in business development activities and customer’s audits.

- Promoting and growing relationships with the markets and end-users to build joint development opportunities through customers’ partnership.

- Assisting in the investigation of customer technical challenges by leveraging all necessary Rio Tinto’s resources.

- Leading pro-active and reactive quality claims corrective action. Supervise the implementation of corrective action measures by working closely with Rio Tinto’s operations.

- Managing the qualification process of new products with customers by connecting all required parties.

- Serving as Steel and HPI market expert, providing insights and business opportunities to Rio Tinto Commercial and relevant stakeholders.

- Optimize value-in-use model assessment.

- Leading technical negotiations and participate in building out complex negotiation plans with the Sales team.

- Having a strong fundamental understanding of various ESG topics and understand how to articulate complex, data-driven Sustainability agendas to action for Rio Tinto and Partners’ benefits.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

- Minimum bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy or Material Science engineering

- Minimum 10 years of experience in the Steel Industry.

- Strong working knowledge of OCTG and other Metallics markets and supply chains.

- Commercial acumen commensurate with role requirements.

- Experience with key account management.

- Strong problem solving, strategic and analytical mind set.

- Identify future trends, develop, and lead execution of strategies to access breakthrough Commercial models that drive value.

- Ability to speak in public at conferences and deliver technical training.

- Efficient technical communication to express areas of improvement / development.

- Proficient and well-organized working skills with excellent interpersonal and judgement skills.

- The role requires frequent travel.

- Foreign languages such as French or Spanish are a plus for this position.

Where you will be working

Rio Tinto Commercial puts the company’s value over volume approach into practice, with the goal of maximizing the value of our physical flows to improve both our business and that of our customers. Our Commercial group works together with our product groups to ensure both the amount and types of products we produce meet our customers’ needs, and manage the trade-off between volumes, quality, cost, and capital expenditure.

Rio Tinto is a global leader in aluminum, one of the world's most widely used metals. Active in the sector for more than 110 years, we operate large-scale, high-quality bauxite mines and alumina refineries; alongside the world's most modern and competitive aluminium smelters and recycling centers portfolio. Our industry leadership includes our benchmark smelting technology and enviable hydropower position, key strengths in today's carbon-considered world.

Application Deadline: September 10, 2025

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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

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.