Laboratory Superintendent

**Introduction**

This position will be based at Quality Laboratory Services (QLS), Kroondal, Rustenburg.

**Description**

This position is responsible for the effective supervision of the entire Laboratory operation to ensure that all Laboratory processes are operational, controlled and maintained.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- Ensure compliance with Quality Laboratory Services Health and Safety responsibilities, legal and operational requirements
- Identify hazards and risk while performing daily tasks and take preventative measures
- Ensure that all laboratory expenditure is in line with the approved budget
- Comply with provided systems, practices, methods, standards, and procedures of the job
- Conduct visual inspections of the work area to ensure workplace safety and good housekeeping
- Prioritise and plan the work to be conducted in relation to the resources available
- Follow the correct analytical procedures when preparing and reporting on samples: drying, screening, splitting, crushing, pulverising, weighing, moisture determination, fluxing, PGM Fire Assaying, Cr and Fe and other base metal assays and reporting of results
- Ensure that balances that are used in the lab are verified using certified mass pieces
- Conduct equipment inspections and record the results onto the checklist prior to the use of any piece of equipment
- Report all equipment and electrical faults to the Area Manager and act to always have all equipment fully operational
- Prepare monthly reports and submit to the Area Manager
- Identify and report irregularities in the overall results, suggest corrective actions to be taken and implement corrective actions upon approval by the Area Manager
- Record all samples received on the sample receiving docket and ensure that the ID on the sample and the docket corresponds and sign for acceptance thereof
- File all dockets in the sample receiving docket file
- Report receipt of samples to the Area Manager immediately
- Conduct weekly stock taking on critical consumables in the lab and report stock shortages to the Laboratory Manager
- Conduct ad hoc activities or duties as requested by the Area Manager
- Constant communication with the Area Manger in his absence to assist with monitoring of laboratory activities / production status
- Assist with instrument analysis to aid in own development
- Oversee that the necessary test work is conducted in the lab and communicate results to the client and stakeholders
- Ensure adherence to client quality requirements by monitoring laboratory feedback and ensuring the implementation of corrective measures
- Continuously monitor the Laboratory process to ensure adherence to ISO 17025 and legislative standards / requirements
- Effectively managing time and resources of self / others to ensure that work is completed efficiently
- Assist with training of new employees in the Laboratory, i.e. on-the-job training
- Perform planned task observations for competency certification

**Qualification Level**
- A three-year Degree or Diploma in Analytical Chemistry
- Government Ticket in Assaying will be advantageous

**Experience and Skills Requirements**
- Minimum 5-8 years’ supervisory experience in an analytical laboratory is required, together with experience in chemical analysis
- Knowledge and experience in sample preparation
- Knowledge and experience in PGM, NiS and Gold Fire Assaying, Cr, Fe, Cu and other mineral assays as required
- Knowledge and experience in the following laboratory instrumentation, ICP, XRF, Leco Sulphur analyzer and potentiometric titrators
- Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods
- Experience in LIMS
- Valid driver’s licence code B, EB or C1
- Knowledge and experience in ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation