Laboratory Manager

The main purpose of this position is to take responsibility for the effective management and training of the laboratory employee compliment; execution and continuous maintenance of the laboratory functions, procedures, and test methods; ensuring effective operation, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment and instruments on all sites; and the continual assurance of food safety and quality per the companies Food Safety and Quality Management System.

**Duties**:

- The general operation, service and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment
- Ensure calibration and verification checks are performed on laboratory instrumentation

**Health and Safety**
- Participate in safety forums created for example safety meetings and safety talks
- Follow-up on any activities assigned through safety meetings / committees / representatives / management
- Report all safety incidents to the relevant people
- Attend safety education and refresher programmes
- Comply with safety policies and procedures
- Distribute safety information as and when required
- Wear protective clothing (where applicable) at all times

**Employee management and development**
- Ensure overall compliance to relevant procedures and policies.
- Ensure that all team members have clearly defined job profiles
- Regular goal review completed to assess achievement of results
- Support, coaching and mentoring is continuously provided to ensure that objectives are met
- Ensure that development plans are in place for each employee
- Appropriate allocation of resources to meet operational demands
- Ensure that events/activities taking place in the team are effectively communicated within team
- Ensure adequate succession planning in order to meet ongoing and anticipated business requirements

**Student management and development**
- Ensure students are trained and verified
- Ensure students’ research projects and practical exposure are aligned with institutes’ requirements and business objectives
- Ensure institutes’ WIL implementation plan is successful integrated within the department
- Support, coaching and mentoring is continuously provided to ensure that objectives are met
- Ensure all supporting documentation for WIL requirement is submitted timeously.
- Manage the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO Laboratory Management System
- Handling of general queries and requests from internal departments and external customers
- Conducting monthly safety checks as and where necessary
- Handling special COA requests
- Verification of test results and product information
- Conduct method validation and quality verification checks
- Investigate and report on questionable test results
- Responsible for laboratory functions and general tasks relating to food safety and quality
- Assist with training and verification of training effectiveness
- Participate in internal assessments and audits
- Ensure that cleanliness and safety standard are maintained in the Laboratory
- Assist with research projects and conduct test studies
- Interpret data and write reports
- Assist with the purchasing of Laboratory chemicals and consumables
- Preparing the Laboratory budget
- Ensure preparation and handling of product samples as per External Analysis Schedule
- Ensure adherence to Sampling Plans as per the Company policies and procedures

**Qualification and Experience**
- BSc Honors Degree in Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Microbiology or Food Sciences
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in a Managerial Capacity - ie managing a team specialists.
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Laboratory environment
- Implementation of the ISO 17025 Management System
- Knowledge of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (HACCP, ISO, and FSSC)
- Knowledge of specialized Laboratory instruments (GC, ICP, NIR, Lovibond, Spectrophotometer, HPLC-GC-MS)
- For more information please contact:
**Elsabe Olckers