BHP brought back the role in 2015, and now Rio has decided it needs a Singapore-based overseer of the sales and marketing, marine, commercial treasury, analysis and procurement divisions.
Salt, borates and uranium managing director Simon Trott will take on the job from January 1, where he will be among several new management committee appointees after last year's exits.
CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques said the move was part of the focus on margins.
"Commercial excellence is key to driving value outside the mine gate and fully complements our drive to unlock additional value through productivity improvements at our operations," he said.
Trott has been with Rio for 18 years, and his current job gives him responsibility over the Ranger and and Rössing uranium mines in Australia and Namibia, respectively, and the Jadar lithium project in Serbia.
He was handed the diamonds portfolio as well last year, reporting to sacked former energy and minerals boss Alan Davies.
