- Shape operational performance and sustainable value across IOC's integrated mine-to-port operations.
- Partner with leaders, coach teams and strengthen capability in structured problem-solving and continuous improvement.
- Role based in Labrador City, NL
About the roleWe are looking for an Operational Excellence - Business Partner to help the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) improve business performance and strengthen the maturity of its management operating system. Operational Excellence supports Rio Tinto Safe Production System (RTSPS) deployment, capability development, value realization and continuous improvement across Mining, Processing, Rail, Port, Operational Technical Support, Health, Safety and Security, Projects and Services, and Support Functions.
As the direct interface between Operational Excellence and assigned business areas, you will work with leaders and teams to identify, prioritize, execute and sustain improvement opportunities. This is an opportunity to influence decisions across an integrated operation, build operational capability and turn performance insights into measurable value.
In Labrador City, you'll find a close-knit northern community where quality of life and genuine connection come naturally.
Enjoy the outdoors year-round; camping, fishing, hunting, hiking and boating throughout the summer and fall seasons. Winter thrills include groomed snowmobile trails, snowshoeing trails, alpine and cross-country skiing, including night skiing, often beneath the Northern Lights.
What you'll be doingReporting to the Chief Financial Officer and working within the Operational Excellence team, you will be:
- Partnering with operational leaders to identify, prioritize and implement improvement opportunities aligned with safety, productivity, cost and annual business-plan commitments.
- Facilitating structured problem-solving, Kaizen events and root cause investigations, and coordinating action plans arising from operational reviews.
- Driving the implementation, maturity and sustainment of the Rio Tinto Safe Production System (RTSPS) and Management Operating System (MOS).
- Developing business cases and supporting value realization, benefits validation and tracking for improvement initiatives.
- Analyzing operational performance data and developing reporting, business intelligence and actionable insights that support decision-making.
- Coaching managers, senior leaders and teams in continuous improvement methodologies, performance routines and change implementation.
- Improving cross-functional alignment and collaboration across operational, technical, safety, project and support departments.
- Supporting productivity and cost-reduction initiatives through implementation planning, change management and sustained follow-through.
About youWe're looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every "helpful for success" item to apply. If you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.
Required for Success
- A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
- Skills and Capabilities: Demonstrated capability in structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, continuous improvement, value realization and stakeholder facilitation.
- Experience: Hands-on experience partnering with leaders to deliver and sustain performance improvement in mining, mineral processing, manufacturing or another complex, safety-critical industrial environment.
- Qualifications: A university degree in Engineering, Science, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant practical experience.
- Systems and Methods: Experience with management operating systems, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen or comparable improvement methodologies, together with performance reporting and data analysis tools.
- Communication: Ability to coach and influence managers, senior leaders and cross-functional teams in English; French capability is an asset for work across IOC locations.
Helpful for Success
- Experience implementing or sustaining RTSPS, MOS or a comparable operating system.
- Experience developing business cases, tracking benefits and supporting annual planning, productivity or cost-reduction commitments.
- Lean Six Sigma certification and experience with business intelligence or data visualization tools.
What we offerBe recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you've helped the world progress.
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
- A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
- Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical programs, pension and savings plans
- Attractive share ownership plan
- Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
- Exclusive employee discounts
Where you'll be workingWe are a leading North American producer and exporter of premium iron ore pellets and high-grade concentrate with average iron grades greater than 66%. With a team of over 2,700 employees, IOC is committed to providing value and continuity for our customers, employees, communities and shareholders through our unique mine to port approach, taking advantage of our full integration and wholly owned infrastructure to deliver our high-quality concentrate and pellets to our customers across the globe.
IOC's operations include a mine with five operational pits, a concentrator and a pelletizing plant located near Labrador City in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. We also operate a wholly-owned 418 km railway, the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway (QNS&L), that links our Labrador operations to Company-owned port facilities in Sept-Iles.
Working at Rio Tinto also means choosing to be part of a company recognized one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2026 and one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.
