Area Manager - Aluminium Smelter

Alcoa of Australia Ltd; Portland; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Career pathways

Community employment

Variable pay

Job summary

Alcoa of Australia Ltd in Portland, VIC, is seeking an Area Manager for our aluminium smelter. You will lead a large 24/7 operations team, drive safety, performance and continuous improvement, and partner with site leaders to deliver outcomes.

You will shape capability, coach leaders, implement improvements, manage risk, and build stakeholder relationships with joint venture partners. A Engineering degree is preferred; relocation to Portland is supported.

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership experience in aluminium smelting or equivalent.
• Experience leading large teams in high-risk environments.
• Tertiary qualification in Engineering; metallurgy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, reliable and cost-effective operations through visible leadership and risk management.
• Build leadership capability and develop a high-performing workforce through coaching.
• Deliver production, productivity, quality and cost outcomes in line with plans.
• Champion operational excellence by identifying and implementing improvements.
• Build trusted relationships across site leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Continuous improvement

Coaching

Education

Engineering degree

Metallurgy preferred

Job description

## Area Manager - Aluminium SmelterApply: Australia, VIC, Portland: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 20, 2026 (27 days left to apply): Req-38618**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 fulfil 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 better workplace with the flexibility and equal opportunities that help everyone thrive. You have the power to shape things and individuals to make them better.**About the Role**Are you a leader who thrives in complex operational environments and enjoys developing people, driving improvement and delivering results at scale? As an Area Manager, you will lead a significant operational workforce within one of Australia's largest aluminium smelters, influencing safety, performance and continuous improvement across a 24/7 operation.**Core responsibilities:*** Lead safe, reliable and cost-effective operations through visible leadership, strong risk management and a culture of accountability.* Build leadership capability and develop a high-performing workforce through coaching, succession planning and effective performance management.* Deliver production, productivity, quality and cost outcomes in line with annual business plans.* Champion operational excellence by identifying and implementing improvements that enhance performance and business value.* Build trusted relationships across site leadership, technical functions and joint venture stakeholders. **What’s on offer*** Relocation assistance to support a move to Portland.* Career pathways spanning operations, projects and leadership* Join a community-connected employer in coastal Portland* Rewarding performance through recognition and variable pay* A values-led workplace with Care for People at its heart. **What you can bring to the role*** Proven operational leadership experience in aluminium smelting, electrolysis/potrooms or comparable continuous process operations.* Demonstrated experience leading large operational teams in a complex, high-risk environment.* A strong safety leadership record, supported by practical risk management capability.* Proven success improving production performance, productivity, cost and operational KPIs.* Experience leading teams through change, operational improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.* Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, coaching and people leadership capability.* A tertiary qualification in Engineering; metallurgy or related technical qualification is preferred.**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.