Product Manager (Commercial)

Product Manager (Commercial)

• Work in a high-performing team solving business objectives by delivering strategic technology
• Contribute meaningfully to the outcome of our commercial business
• Based in the Rio Tinto Commercial Chicago Hub
• Opportunity to work in a world class organization and play a leading role in delivering a step change in commercial performance across the value chain through digitalisation and innovation
• Exposure to global commercial operations, processes, stakeholders, and leading-edge digital/tech across all our commodities and product groups

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. 

Our Commercial Digital team is streamlining and guiding how we invest in and harness technology for Commercial. This team is modernizing and digitizing our manual processes, addressing pain points for employees and focus on initiatives for improving customer experiences and in order to do so, we use proven and emerging technologies as required. Being part of the Commercial Digital team is a unique opportunity to bring digital closer to the business, to create more synergies between teams and bring together business improvements to achieve business excellence. The incumbent will report directly to the Senior Manager BU Sales & Marketing Support and Integrated Programs.

We are looking for an experienced Product Manager to be part of the Digital Team, responsible to deliver products in the Commercial – Sales & Marketing function. The focus area includes Customer Portals, Blockchain projects, Logistics, S&OP Deployments, Customer/Stakeholder Engagement, Marketing and ESG applications.

The PRoduct Manager will work closely with the business stakeholders, Digital team, IT and at times, with 3^rd-Party vendors to set the vision and strategic direction for digital products to service customers, own the product roadmap, accountable for managing product delivery and day-to-day operations of the product. 

This role is a great opportunity for the successful candidate to have direct influence and leadership in strategically transforming the way we do business across the Commercial Group. You will:

• Work closely with customers, the digital leadership and multiple delivery squads concurrently to set the vision and strategic direction for digital products to service customers. 
• Create, own, and manage product roadmaps ensuring the product vision and strategy are translated into planned product development activities for delivery squads or 3^rd-party vendors to undertake.
• Communicate/syndicate the product roadmap and business value of the product and/or product release(s) to delivery squads, so that they understand the delivery and timing requirements, as well as the purpose behind the new product and/or product release(s).
• Manage product deliveries in accordance with product roadmaps and report on program management variables such as tracking against the project scope, budget, timeline, and from a risk, capacity and change perspective. AGILE delivery methodologies are the preferred approach for delivering products.
• Act as the primary Commercial Digital contact for key customer representatives, fostering a close relationship with the customer teams, and have a deep understanding of the customer’s functional scope, requirements, and priorities.
• Evaluate and optimise profit of products, on a product-by-product basis, through consideration of investment costs and potential benefits / value generated.
• Conduct regular Customer/Stakeholder engagement with top Business Unit managers to provide updates on current projects/initiatives, scout for future needs and share news about the Commercial Digital strategy, projects, etc.
• Engaging and working closely with network partners and the internal software engineering team as required, to provide specific input, advice and/or services for the technical design. For example, working with IT for input, advice and/or services related to cyber security, data architecture, integration architecture with enterprise systems and infrastructure architecture (networks, firewalls, server etc).

About you

To be considered for this role, you will have:

• Experience as a Product or Project Manager or similar role: leading, designing and delivering projects/products in the Sales & Marketing, S&OP/Supply Chain space, preferably across metals and mining, oil & gas, or commodity trading organisations.
• Preferably have valuable experience in deploying supply chain planning software (e.g., Anaplan) modules across different business organizations or similar tools
• Proven track record of experience with commercial business, supply chain management concepts and processes - forecasting, planning, optimization, logistics
• Proficiency with supply and demand planning tools
• Good knowledge and understanding of cost drivers in the value chain.
• Excellent leadership skills with experience collaborating with cross-functional teams. Team player and fosters teamwork.
• Be strategic and have a forward thinking/growth mindset competency.
• Have the ability to get things done based on analysis, facts/data and through collaboration and influence.
• Have experience and knowledge of design thinking and understanding customer journeys.
• Have thorough understanding of AGILE delivery methodologies and underpinning frameworks (SCRUM, KANBAN, etc.) or prior use of Lean and/or Six Sigma analytical techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to take accountability for assigned tasks and demonstrate strong work ethics.

What we offer

Be 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
• A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees
• Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions
• Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs and pension plan
• Wellbeing benefits
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

Where you will be working

The Commercial group is focused on maximizing the value of our products, growing value in the marketplace through partnership with the company’s customers, suppliers, product groups and Group functions. Headquartered in Singapore, and integrated with Rio Tinto’s assets, hubs, and offices globally, Commercial’s purpose is to provide the insights to drive value along the mine-to-market value chain. Commercial incorporates and utilises the knowledge and capabilities of the global Sales & Marketing, Procurement, and Marine & Logistics organisations, supported by the Market Analysis, Commercial Treasury, and other functions, to ensure our approach to business is driven by a commercially astute and innovative mind-set.

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 

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.  

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V 

Rio Tinto participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization.  Please visit http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information. 

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.