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.

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