Senior Agricultural Chemist & Lab Quality Lead

Ironbrij Pty Ltd; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurofins APAL Australia seeks an Agricultural Chemist to provide technical support, ensure QA/QC under AS ISO/IEC 17025, and lead lab activities. You will refine methods, investigate non-conformances, respond to client queries, and implement new procedures to uphold data integrity.

You will manage calibration, audits, reporting, and training, driving continuous improvement while maintaining WH&S compliance and service quality across ASPAC operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or relevant Tertiary technical education.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a commercial agricultural laboratory.
• Proven ability to build and lead an effective team.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable.
• Meticulous with high attention to detail.
• Proven leadership/management experience.
• Good interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with customers, staff and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of the analysis of soil, plant, water and other agricultural products.
• Willingness to always maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to educate and develop staff.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict in a positive way.
• In-depth knowledge of quality management and NATA and their application in the workplace.
• Highly developed organisation and time management skills.
• Highly developed computing skills including Microsoft skills & other data software packages.
• Demonstrated personal attributes that align with APAL’s Team Principles (i.e. Accurate, Positive, Accountable, Loyal).
• Understanding of WH&S legislation and the ability to implement WH&S systems and procedures in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and show commitment to the quality management system in accordance with AS ISO/IEC 17025 and general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories and ISOIEC/17025.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Complies with Standard Operating Procedures and WH&S practices of Eurofins APAL.
• Manage the quality output within the laboratory and commitment to accuracy and quality of data.
• Ensure accurate validation of methods. For each method ensure that there is an accurate measurement of uncertainty and documented procedure.
• Monitor and report performance against key performance measures (turnaround times, compliance etc.)
• ASPAC proficiency testing – overseeing and conducting the timely analysis of soil and plant check samples.
• Ensure all instrumentation are optimized and outputting accurate data. Maintain instrument calibrations and good record keeping.
• Ensures accurate record keeping for NATA. Involved in procedural auditing and compliance. Driver of continuous improvements. Develops methods and prepares NATA submissions. Takes a lead in external NATA audits. Investigates CAPARS / non-conformances and implements changes.
• Liaise with the Laboratory Manager to identify resource requirements (staff and equipment) to successfully implement strategic plan goals and objectives.
• Develop new methods and review and improve existing methods to improve laboratory practice
• Investigate and respond to customer complaints; re issue test reports when advised and where appropriate.
• Involved in client queries, advising of best method choice, responds to client queries quickly.
• Forward customer complaints to the Laboratory Manager as per the Service to the Customer and Customer Complaints process.
• Provide weekly report to the Laboratory Manager detailing daily run data, turnaround times, risks, and business summary.
• Manage and participate in the Business Operations Meeting providing information on weekly workload expectations, resource requirements, identification of any risks/red flags
• Conduct toolbox meetings/forums and individual communications with staff in order to keep staff informed about the quality performance and provide the opportunity for staff to express their views.
• Lead, mentor, provide support, advice and assistance to Laboratory team members.
• Monitor team and individual work performance.
• Liaises with the Laboratory Supervisor to ensure training schedules are in place and implemented.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of Laboratory staff as required.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Computing skills

Education

Bachelor of Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Eurofins APAL Australia seeks an Agricultural Chemist to provide technical support, ensure QA/QC under AS ISO/IEC 17025, and lead lab activities. You will refine methods, investigate non-conformances, respond to client queries, and implement new procedures to uphold data integrity.

You will manage calibration, audits, reporting, and training, driving continuous improvement while maintaining WH&S compliance and service quality across ASPAC operations.