Operator Mechanic - Metals

Location: Bessemer City

About Rio Tinto:
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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 and meet opportunities.

About Rio Tinto Lithium:
On 5 March 2025, Rio Tinto completed the acquisition of Arcadium Lithium and combined it with its Rincon asset to form Rio Tinto Lithium, establishing Rio Tinto as a global leader in the supply of energy transition materials and one of the world's top lithium producers.

Position Summary:

Responsible for operation of chemical processing equipment, packaging equipment and material handling equipment meeting the requirements outlined in standard operating procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

* In emergency situations, remove people from confined spaces.

* Participates on the PERT team as an entry member.

* Handles hazardous wastes during generation, transport, storage, or spill response activities.

* Suppresses fires inside and outside of buildings.

* Administers basic first aid.

* Performs standard duties related to fire suppression, fire prevention, hazard spill response, emergency response, and rescue operations (PERT).

* Completes all applicable permits and job walk-downs for Maintenance and Contractor work (i.e. Lockout/Tag-out, Safe Work, Confined Space Entry, Line Break, etc.).

* Enters near miss or incident reports into SIMS database. Takes appropriate action to resolve then provides sufficient detail to enable root cause analysis through an incident investigation.

* Actively participates in the Behavior-Based Safety program.

* Responsible for maintaining 5S standards in production areas.

* Complies with all circuit, regulatory, and safety training.

* Performs daily safety inspections

* Intervenes when unsafe acts or conditions are encountered.

* Participates and supports Process Safety activities including but not limited to risk assessments, preventive maintenance activities, pre-start up safety reviews, Management of Change initiation, work permit activities, and standard operating procedure reviews/updates.

* Other duties may be assigned.

Business Support

* Observes process variables using gauges and instruments and adjust valves and controls to set and maintain specified operating ranges.

* Observes processing and auxiliary equipment to detect malfunctions then repairs or submits a request for repairs.

* Responsible to enter production data into VDBs, log/batch sheets, databases and systems (SAP).

* Drives forklift to move material to and from process areas.

* Samples and tests or submits requests for tests of process samples using LQM and makes required adjustments.

* Performs productivity maintenance tasks using basic hand tools.

* Collects and interprets information for making decisions from instruments and computers.

* Provides some written documentation of activities.

* Using our word processing program, indicates needed changes in an SOP by "redlining" and using our electronic mail system routes the "redlined" SOP to appropriate people for review.

* Compares the information in Lithium Quality Management (LQM) database relating to a produced product to the appropriate Product Standard.

People

* Responsible to work with fellow operators and management to achieve the production goals of the area in a safe and efficient manner.

* Responsible to keep personal training up to date.

* Responsible for shift reports and effective shift turnover to include leading the start of the shift safety huddle.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or

Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED);
Minimum of three years of industrial work experience.

Skills:

* Has the ability to operate multiple circuits.

* Uses logic and appropriate methods to successfully troubleshoot and solve difficult problems.

* Skilled in operating all area equipment and had the ability to run more than one unit at a time when required.

* Has the ability to service, repair, adjust, and test machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles.

* Uses the computer to accurately enter information and data into Livent business systems (LQM, SAP, Hang Tag, SIMS, MOC, CPAR, SBO, SharePoint).

* Uses MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and VMX to communicate all work…