Chief Chemist

**CHIEF CHEMIST - Chemical product Manufacturing**

**(DURBAN)**

The Chief Chemist will act as the Product Information Officer (Technical, Safety, Certifications, Approvals and Registrations), Chemistry Support in all its spheres, and to provide the necessary training to the Sales team.

Build an approved, supplier/ ingredient data base. Create Procedures and Works Instructions for all new QA and R&D tasks as required and product formulation costings.

Key duties;
Plans directs and manages the full laboratory function and its staff ensuring that the correct capabilities and resources are present to support the full QA and technical functions required.

Coordinates and directs research and development, product chemistry, optimised and accurate chemical manufacturing processes, ingredient and product analysis and verification, problem identification, modification of formulas.

Coordinates scaled up plant manufacturing processes according to HSE and ISO operational protocols and applicable government regulations; Provides technical training at plant level as required.

Reviews operational reports to make sure that quality standards, efficiency, and expenditure schedules are met.

Interprets results of laboratory activities to laboratory personnel (mentoring), and management, and prepares reports and technical papers.

Prepares and updates Safety documents for the company products as regulated (Technical, SDS and TREM); provides guidance concerning statutory Risk and Safety nomenclature needed for each product. Verifies Technical Information on product labels and product technical data sheets.

Liaise with "Toll manufacturing" customers and agree / approve all product manufacturing processes and QA measures.

Liaise with Suppliers regarding technical matters and stays up to date with latest formulator trends in the detergent industry. Looks for opportunities to optimise chemical performance / cost

To build and maintain product formulation data base

Responsible for full SHE functions within the role related to equipment operations, materials handling, as well as the safety of direct reporting staff and other persons in the immediate work area.

Ensure workplace safety standards are also governed by law in the form of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.; its directives must be obeyed.

All safety incidents in the work environment are to be documented and investigated.

**Experience and Qualifications**

Degree in Industrial Chemistry

Minimum 7 years’ experience in the chemical detergent industry or similar

Working knowledge of industrial chemicals or detergent Chemistry and product formulation /development

Knowledge of surfactant and antimicrobial products and emulsions

Knowledge of production processes for Industrial products

Working experience of QA and ISO systems related to the chemical industry

Experience of running plant trials in a factory environment

Excel and Word essential

**Job Type**: Permanent