Packaging Operator (Contractor/Temporary)

Job Description

Job Description

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 to operate carbonate conveying or hydroxide packaging equipment to package Lithium hydroxide in bags, drums, and supersacks per customer requirements as defined in Product Standards in support of the Salts Area production and customer delivery needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitors processing and auxiliary equipment to predict or detect malfunctions, then either repairs or submits a work order notification for repairs.
• Draws samples and submits samples into QC for finished product testing.
• Updates the computerized Safety Incident Management System (SIMS) database with information related to initiating an Incident Near Miss or results of an incident investigation.
• Responsible for ensuring proper packaging and labeling per customer and regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for inspection and upkeep of safety related equipment and to maintain high standards of housekeeping and orderliness in the packaging department.
• Operates forklift to move material to and from packaging area.
• Responsible for operating forklifts, power tools, and specialized equipment outlined in SOPs in the performance of their assigned tasks.
• Maintains inventory of packaging materials
• Follows all applicable RCRA, SPCC, and Hazmat rules and procedures and instructs others to do the same.
• Participates in scheduled and unscheduled safety meetings huddles to raise safety awareness in work areas.
• Participates in the following safety programs: OIA, HARM, MOC, SIMS, CPAR, and all site work permits.
• Participates in incident investigations identifying root causes and appropriate corrective action to improve safety and environmental performance in areas.
• Participates actively in the plant Hazwoper program.
• Ensures all transactions in SAP are completed through keyboard entry or bar code scanning.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. Two-year degree desired.
• Six-months experience in manufacturing environment

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Ability to operate multiple job functions in receiving, plant stores, and shipping.
• Uses the computer to accurately enter information and data into FMC business systems (SAP, SIMS, MOC, CPAR, QSA).
• Effective oral and written communication.
• MS Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Outlook and VMX to communicate all work instructions, order statuses, and job assignments.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Certified to operate power industrial trucks.
• Understands the requirements of the 49 CFR, IATA, and IMDG regulations.
• Knowledge of loading containers/trailers for distributing loads evenly to meet DOT requirements.
• Ability to perform minor maintenance tasks. Packaging operators perform minor maintenance task on equipment used for packaging lithium hydroxide.

Safety Requirements: (position and location specific) All employees are expected to carry out their work functions in a healthy and safe manner, to encourage and support safe work practices at all times, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately.

Physical Demands: (position and location specific) The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to [10] pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment: (position and location specific) The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Personal Protective Equipment – (position specific) Must wear PPE as required based on job duties or when traveling to locations where PPE is essential.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

RIO TINTO LITHIUM employs people across a broad range of occupations in locations across the world. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, a menu of work/life benefits and opportunities to continue developing their skills and building their career.

RIO TINTO LITHIUM is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MFDV and supports a drug free workplace.