Manager Sales Lithium Atlantic

Manager Sales Lithium Atlantic

Leading commercial growth across the Atlantic lithium market and shaping long-term partnerships with global EV, battery and cathode manufacturers.

Opportunity to influence Rio Tinto's lithium growth strategy, lead a regional sales team and work closely with global OEMs in the energy transition sector.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, with exposure across North America and Europe with a salary range between 151,760 – 227,640

We're Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values of care, courage and curiosity guide how we work and how we treat each other. We are looking for a Manager Sales Lithium Atlantic to help the Lithium Commercial team deliver sustainable commercial growth and maximise value from strategic customer relationships across the Atlantic region.

Reporting to the VP Sales & Marketing, Lithium, this role leads regional sales strategy, customer engagement, contract negotiations and team performance while supporting Rio Tinto's position in the global battery materials market.

• Develop and execute the Atlantic regional sales strategy aligned to global lithium growth objectives and market opportunities.
• Manage strategic customer relationships across EV, battery, cathode and OEM customers to secure long-term value and retention.
• Lead negotiations for long-term, medium-term and short-term lithium chemical supply agreements, including pricing and commercial terms.
• Drive regional sales performance through forecasting, pipeline management, CRM discipline and KPI tracking.
• Partner with market analysis teams to identify trends, competitive threats and emerging growth opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing regional team across North America and Europe.
• Collaborate with technical, product, legal, quality and operations teams to support customer qualification and commercial execution.
• Provide commercial insights and performance reporting to senior leadership while supporting strategic business decisions.

We're looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every "helpful for success" item to apply. If you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic account management, sales leadership or commercial relationship management within chemicals, minerals, energy materials or comparable technical industries.
• Experience leading customer negotiations and delivering value through long-term commercial agreements in complex markets.
• Ability to build and maintain executive-level stakeholder relationships across customers, partners and internal teams.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing commercial teams in a results-focused environment.
• Strong understanding of sales forecasting, pipeline management and CRM systems such as Salesforce.

• Qualification in business, marketing, engineering, chemistry or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Understanding of lithium chemistry, battery manufacturing processes and EV or energy storage supply chains.
• Experience navigating global supply chain dynamics and market factors affecting battery materials demand and supply.
• Experience working with, or selling to, major North American automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers or cathode producers.

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you've helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution;
  Generous 401k matching program.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid…