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Chelsea Nancarrow

from a fast food restaurant to Specialist MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations)
I am a procurement Specialist for Electrical & Heating, Ventilation and Aircon Consumables.
Industry
Mining and Resources
Company
Rio Tinto
Job Level
Mid

Ask me about

  • What FIFO and mining is like
  • Living in the Pilbara
  • The best ways to grow your network
  • Building your confidence

About me

I often say I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up – and honestly, do we ever really know? I once wanted to be a fashion designer but instead chose the broadest degree I could think of to build a strong foundation. I believe it’s my attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to build relationships that help me succeed across different industries and roles.

I started working at Red Rooster when I was 14. My first “office job” was at a construction company, where I had the opportunity to try out four different roles during my time there. I’ve done something similar in the mining industry, moving through planning and improvement, and now into procurement – something I didn’t even know existed a few years ago!

About my role

  • Humorous
  • Idealistic
  • Passionate
  • Persuasive
  • Relaxed

I work as a Specialist in Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) at Rio Tinto in Perth. My role involves creating and updating sourcing strategies, managing tender and extension processes, writing and reviewing contracts, and overseeing the relationships and performance of key contracted supply partners. I get to collaborate with a wide range of teams and external stakeholders, and I love being involved in groups within Rio Tinto that focus on cultural improvement, driving change, and supporting my peers.

Education

  • Bachelor of Business (Management)
  • Bachelor Arts (English, Children's literature)
  • Graduate Certificate Development Planning

Subjects

  • Business Studies
  • Digital Design/Information Technology
  • English
  • History
  • Science

Hobbies

  • Cooking
  • Photography
  • Reading
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Yoga

Pets

  • 1 Dog
  • 2 Cat
  • 3 Chickens

15 year old me!!

“People care nowhere near as much as we think, so there’s no need to be shy and worried. Confidence and using your voice are life changing.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Work experience then roles at a construction company
  2. Worked on some of Perth's largest land estates
  3. Moved to Tom Price in the Pilbara
  4. Started in mining: maintenance planning then improvements
  5. Moved to our Perth office with Procurement

My typical day

My employer

Rio Tinto operates in 35 countries where its 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Rio’s portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. Continuously searching for new projects that can support the energy transition, Rio Tinto is currently exploring for 8 commodities in 17 countries. The organisation has more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding its work and, today, the business relies on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to help it run more safely, more efficiently and leave a lighter footprint.