Hod: Client Liaison and Admin

**Company Description**
We are SGS - the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
**Job Description** PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES**

To manage the business front line services: Client liaison and administrative functions.

**SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Plan, organize, lead, and control the frontline services of the analytical laboratory, client liaison and financial administration.
- Overseeing the client liaison function in line with:

- Leading in effective communication with clients.
- Correct interpretation, understanding and issuing of the client’s quotes.
- Quotes acceptance follow up.
- Effective attendance to client’s queries/enquiries within reasonable time.
- Drive the divisions activities, by making timely technical decisions with regards to reaching the clients objectives.
- Intermediate and post campaign follow up on the services rendered
- Communication with the Laboratory Manager on oncoming projects.
- Assist with job review when samples are received, to ensure instructions are clear and understood before work is registered on the system.
- Develop and implement internal framework, processes, and procedures for the effective performance, thereby ensuring control of costs, income, quality, and productivity.
- Accountable for invoicing, and ensuring correct quotations are send to clients on time.
- Generate and assist with analyzing the data for management. (Financial stats, sample volumes, clientele database).
- Oversee the control, handling, and administration of age analysis.
- Oversee the procurement function rendered in the division.
- Oversee the control and handling of transportation.
- Manage compliance and ensure maintenance to all IT systems in the division.
- Collaborate with staff complement in the Laboratory, assist to address staff concerns, motivate staff, identify training needs, and ensure they are addressed, promote competence.
- Responsible for petty cash and other financial reconciliations.
- Accountable for all the billing KPI’s within the facility.
- Perform any other reasonable tasks as assigned by direct line manager.

**COMPLIANCE & AUTHORITY**
- Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.
- Report any faulty and/or nonfunctioning apparatus or equipment to the immediate superior.
- Each staff member has the authority to cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard and/or work that may affect the quality or integrity of test results.
- Any person has the right to refuse to perform work that may damage the environment in an imminent and serious way and to report such a situation. The employee has the responsibility to protect the environment as well.
- Cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard or entry to hazardous environments without the necessary knowledge and protection and report the situation to higher authority to act.
- Cease to continue with work that may affect the quality (integrity) of services and report the situation to higher authority to act.
- Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.

**Qualifications** Education**
- Financial Management / Administrative qualification will be an advantage and/or proven years of laboratory, knowledge, skills, and experience sufficient to be recognized as a qualification through - Recognition of Prior Learning
- Proficient with PC's, especially with MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel programs.

**Experience**
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a financial / administrative position
- Laboratory background and related systems would be an advantage.
- Previous client and supplier liaison experience
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent people skills and the ability to work with a variety of personalities.
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Superb organizational skills
- Ability to multi-task and manage several issues simultaneously.
- Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude when dealing with escalated issues.

**REQUIRED SKILLS**
- Self-motivator
- Good verbal, written and communication skills.
- Ability to multi-task
- Outstanding diligence
- Concern for order
- Must have good understanding of Microsoft Office (Excel / Power Point, etc.)
- Work must be done systematically and with the highest level of accuracy.
- Organizational and record-keeping skills
- Customer focus and service orientation
- Basic budget comprehension
- Administrative skills
- People skills
- Basic administrative and communicati