Senior Chemist at SGS

Job Description
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To outline the responsibilities and authorities the Senior Chemist in Instrumentation has in relation to post requirements of managerial, technical and key support personnel.

RESPONISIBILITIES

• Must be able to record, evaluate and validate all instrumentation, (LECO, ICP, XRF, AAS & Wet Chem) data
• Responsible for all daily document requirements and the distribution to the different departments.
• Responsible for the monthly time sheet accounting.
• Routinely provide training to Chemists & Technicians
• Completes tasks within the allocated time and plans work for operators to ensure that overall service goals of the laboratory are met.
• Responsibility to performs routine and non-routine Analytical operation on instrumentation (LECO, ICP, XRF, AAS & Wet Chem) if and as required.
• Responsible for the supervision of all instrumentation analysis and reporting of results.
• Responsibility to ensure turnaround time is adhered to at all times, for work specified in regard to instrumentation analysis.
• Responsibility to initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation from the system occurs, possible improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.
• Complies and conforms to the Laboratory Quality Management System (ISO17025)
• Responsibility, under the guidance of section manager, to modify and develop methods for instrumentation analysis.
• Responsibility, under the guidance of section manager, to validate any new methods or modifications made for instrumentation analysis.
• Responsibility to bring all problems (technical and managerial) to the attention of the section manager.
• Take control of all quality issues in instrumentation and help with resolving IRs and Complaints
• Oversee the Preparation and reading/ titration of all instrumentation samples and their reporting, with a view to meet all deadlines
• Interact with the Customer Service Department and provide ERDs when these are required
• Be actively involved in the day to day running of the instrumentation department
• Help with instrument problem solving whenever required

• Interact with Service Engineers whenever they are servicing the instruments so that instrumentation is always fully aware of what they are doing
• Work cooperatively with all instrumentation staff to ensure that all are committed to the goal and objectives of the Department and turnaround times are met.
• Adhere to all quality and safety requirements of the SGS management system.
• Responsibility to adhere to all quality, health and safety rules and regulations.
• Responsibility to ensure housekeeping for general instrumentation area is kept up to standard.
• Responsibility to identify areas where new system documentation is required, amendments need to be made or where existing documentation requires review.
• Responsibility to ensure that all documents, forms and records are of the appropriate version.
• Responsibility to ensure correct consumables and chemicals are received and used for instrumentation analysis.
• Perform any other reasonable tasks as assigned by direct line manager.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES

• Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, possible improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.
• Address client complaints.
• Validate, approve and authorize analytical results.
• Authorize re-assays of nonconforming results.
• Authorize and sign-off competency of staff.
• Authorize and validate new analytical methods and calibration standards, and critical reagents for use.
• Authorize and manage overtime and shift rosters.
• Authorize and sign-off documents for use within department.
• Cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard or enter hazardous environments without the necessary knowledge and protection and report the situation to higher authority to take action.
• Cease to carry on with work that may affect the quality (integrity) of services and report the situation to higher authority to take action.

Qualifications
​​​Education

• BSc Chemistry on National Diploma Analytical Chemistry

 Experience

• Operational experience in a SANAS 17025 accredited facility
• LIMS administration and operation
• Experience in instrumentation, data collection and reporting
• At least 8 years’ experience.

​​​​​​​Competencies

• Competent in the use of the LIMS.
• Must be able to do troubleshooting on instrument and methods used.
• Must know how to verify calibration standards / quality control standards / verification / standards and Certified Reference Materials (CRM’s).
• Managing Good Laboratory Practice.
• Must be able to help with the preparation of SANAS audits.
• Managing laboratory documentation.