Operator - New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) at Tiwai Point

Position Overview

We invite applicants to join the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) at Tiwai Point as Operators. This role includes comprehensive training, making prior industry experience unnecessary. The position operates on a family-oriented 12-hour rotating shift schedule: two days on, two nights on, followed by four days off, providing a balanced lifestyle with significant time off to focus on personal priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate both mobile and fixed plant machinery safely and efficiently.
• Perform routine inspections and housekeeping to maintain cleanliness and equipment condition.
• Support the aluminium manufacturing processes actively within operational teams.
• Engage in physically demanding tasks typical of an industrial setting.

Candidate Profile

• Physically robust to manage manual, strength, and stamina-intensive activities in an industrial environment.
• Dedication to maintaining safety standards for self and team members.
• Possession of a valid full New Zealand driver’s licence is mandatory.
• Exceptional communication abilities and teamwork orientation.
• Enthusiastic mindset coupled with a willingness to learn and adapt.
• Capability to work the specified 12-hour rotating shifts.
• Holding a forklift licence with an 'F' endorsement is considered a plus.

Benefits and Employment Conditions

• Work within a secure, inclusive environment prioritizing safety and employee well-being.
• Competitive salary complemented by an annual performance bonus.
• Complete on-job training to support skill development without prior industry background.
• Health coverage for employees and eligible family members through Southern Cross insurance.
• Employer-contributed superannuation via the NZAS Retirement Scheme.
• Complimentary transport between Invercargill and Tiwai Point.
• Monthly payment of shift allowances where applicable.
• Additional remuneration provided during annual leave periods.
• Provision of uniforms, personal protective equipment (PPE), and laundry service.
• Access to wellbeing resources, including immediate healthcare support on demand.
• Participation in the Rio Tinto employee share program.

Workplace and Corporate Culture

NZAS is located at Tiwai Point near Invercargill, producing some of the world's purest aluminium and plays a vital role in supporting New Zealand's manufacturing and exports. The organization is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and respectful workplace where diversity and individuality are highly valued. They particularly welcome applicants from Indigenous communities, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring equitable treatment and respect for all.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is an international leader in mining and materials, operating across 35 countries. It produces critical commodities such as iron ore, copper, aluminium, and minerals essential to the global energy transition. With 150 years of operational expertise, the company emphasizes innovation, sustainable practices, and strong social and governance standards, striving to build strategic partnerships and deliver materials responsibly to meet global needs.