General Manager - Smelter

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

As a leader within Alcoa, you can help fulfill our purpose and realise our vision to build a legacy of excellence for future generations. Be part of the team that is helping shape a safer and more inclusive workplace with the flexibility and equal opportunities that help everyone thrive. You have the power to shape things and individuals to make them better.

Leveraging your dynamic and seasoned experienced as a General Manager you will step into the pivotal leadership role for Portland Aluminium Smelter, located in the idyllic coastal community of Portland, Victoria. With a secure nine‑year power agreement, you will guide the smelter through an exciting period of growth as production increases from 86% to 95% of its nameplate capacity of 358,000 tonnes of aluminium per year. This renewed certainty strengthens the long‑term future of the operation, a vital commitment not only for you and our employees, but for the entire Portland community.

In this key role you are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the smelter’s performance, including production, safety, quality control, and the effective use of financial, physical, and human resources. You will also manage essential external relationships including but not limited to Joint Venture (JV) partners and stakeholders within the Victoria Government.

You will be part of the Australian Operations Lead Team and contribute to strengthening the global capability of Alcoa’s smelting operations. You will foster and develop a long-term strategic focus within the smelter and ensure that everyone is aligned and committed to this direction.

About the Role

• Ensure the effective operation of the smelter to maximize business returns, within socially and environmentally acceptable standards, and assure employee health and safety.
• Establish challenging production objectives, operating and capital budgets, and resource allocations. Lead and develop an effective management team to meet safety, cost, and efficiency targets.
• Promote health, safety, and environmental objectives across the plant. Ensure all personnel are committed to safety plans and enforce environmental standards to minimize impact on the plant and community.
• Develop a consistent approach to employee relations, build a harmonious workforce, and ensure the right team is in place. Coach and mentor high-potential individuals to strengthen Alcoa’s talent pool.
• Promote diversity within the smelter and oversee the intake of a healthy succession talent pipeline.
• Ensure the latest developments in process and technologies are available to all areas of the plant. Lead the deployment of Alcoa Systems, tools and initiatives.
• Represent the location and company in government, community, and business relationships. Partner with community leaders to develop solutions for issues of importance to Alcoa and the community.

What’s on offer

• Relocation support to this idyllic coastal location.
• Career development opportunities to pursue your passion including technical development support from  Alcoa’s Centres of Excellence.
• Competitive short-term and long-term performance-based rewards.
• Collaborate across diverse operational domains to shape enterprise-wide outcomes.

What you can bring to the role

• Tertiary degree in process engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgy, or a related discipline is essential.

• Post-graduate business or financial qualifications are highly desirable.
• Proven experience in the leadership and management of large-scale manufacturing/production environments.
• Extensive technical knowledge of plant/manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in Health & Safety systems.
• Experience in management of financial P&L and key profitability drivers.
• Solid understanding of commercial markets, demand, and capacity.
• Experience in an industrial relations environment is highly desirable.

Additional information

• Interviews may progress prior to the closing date, although all applications will be considered.
• You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview, this process can take up to four weeks from the closing date.

Be part of shaping our organisation and join us in building a legacy of excellence for future generations.

#AlcoaAUS #LI-WM1

About the Location

Our Portland Smelter is a joint venture between Alcoa of Australia (55%), CITIC (22.5%) and Marubeni Aluminium Australia (22.5%). Alcoa manages the day-to-day operations at the smelter and we produce approximately 19 per cent of Australia’s total aluminium production in Portland.  We are proud of the long-standing relationships we have within our local community and are committed to supporting social and diverse causes.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.    

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.