The Hub Laboratory Manager will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa and reporting to the Operations Manager, Geochemistry, Johannesburg. This position is responsible for the smooth operations of the Johannesburg, South Africa laboratory. The Hub Laboratory Manager will provide leadership in technical, quality and operational aspects as well as providing direction and support to the management staff within the Johannesburg hub laboratory.
Position in the Organisation
The primary objective of the Hub Laboratory Manager (2nd in command) is to assist the Operations Manager to oversee the operations of the ALS Geochemistry Laboratory to ensure that results are delivered in an efficient, productive, accurate and timely manner.
Scope of the Job
The Hub Laboratory Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:
- Compliance
- Practice the ALS Health and Safety Foundation Standards.
- Practice the ALS company core values.
- Abide by the ALS company policies and procedures.
- Abide by local legislative requirements at all times.
- Compliance to the ALS Quality Management System
- Responsible for ensuring ALS quality protocols are adhered to and quality targets are met at all times and in accordance with ISO17025 quality standards
- Ensuring readiness for internal as well as external audits
- Efficient and Effective Operations
- Ensure effective and adequate Safety, Health & Environmental and corporate compliance management within the Hub Laboratory in Johannesburg
- Work closely with the Operations Manager and senior staff to plan, direct and coordinate activities within Johannesburg hub laboratory aligned with the overall objectives of the company.
- Meeting defined Key Performance Indicators in Quality, Turnaround time and Efficiency.
- To ensure the smooth operation and investigation of any incidents within the laboratory.
- Effectively manage, mentor and coach the laboratory team to ensure that the production, sample preparation and analytical work meets the quality requirements.
- Train and develop the departmental managers and technical staff to operate the facility with the same quality and efficiency standards as the rest of the ALS labs.
- To conduct and complete the performance appraisals for all department managers within the Johannesburg laboratory departments and make recommendations for appropriate improvement under regional HR guidance and where required.
- Ensure that all the laboratory analyses are done according to ALS documented procedures and standards.
- Provide oversight for the maintenance of new and established QC programs and the laboratory's ISO accreditation.
- Provide oversight for incident/accident logging, investigation and closure in collaboration with the QC and HSE departments
- Coordinate timeous resolution of client complaints/ queries.
- Client Retention
- Ensure effective business development and customer relations with key clients of the Johannesburg hub laboratory
- Periodically engage with existing clients to identify challenges and or additional requirements.
- Work closely with colleagues within the SSA region to understand and align with the region's overall objectives
- Arrange and participate in client meetings.
- Reports
- Participate in management meetings
- Forecast workflow and align resources with targets set for each of the financial reporting terms.
- Compile key business metrics and report on them to management
- Risk Mitigation
- Alert the management to key emerging risk areas
- Make input to improve risk mitigation strategies
- Actively participate in crisis management activities as and when required
- Finance
- Ensure financial viability within the Johannesburg hub laboratory
- Achieve the budgeted targets and profitable growth for the Johannesburg, South Africa operations whilst ensuring safety, compliance, quality and client satisfaction.
- Project annual budgets and risk mitigation
- Generate and monitor monthly finance and budget reports for the Johannesburg laboratory operations
Behavioral Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal, planning and communication skills
- Skilled in the art of influencing, contract negotiations and closing agreements
- Maintain confidentiality and integrity
- Highly organised and flexible
- Sound decision making, problem solving and preventive measures skills
- Demonstrates accountability and a team player
- Ability to investigate, resolve and respond to queries
- Inspires and drives excellence in all aspects of work
- Interact and communicate in a respectful manner taking into consideration the diverse cultures
- Good commercial understanding and appreciation of factors involved in delivering quality services profitably
- Excellent fiscal, numerical and analytical skills
- Strategic planning/thinking and implementation abilities
- Attention to detail and work under pressure
- Ability to multi task and meet challenging deadlines
- Effective communication skills both verbally and written within all levels of ALS and with the clients
- Advanced network and client relationship building skills
- A Minimum of a Chemistry/Science Diploma or Degree from a recognized University or Institution and or in-depth understanding and knowledge of Chemistry
- Minimum - 10 years' relevant Laboratory Management experience with a multinational geochemical testing or mining/exploration company
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is a mandatory requirement.
- Good interpersonal skills and effective in working in a multi-cultural environment.
- Sound technical knowledge of Geochemical analytical techniques
- Ability to travel
