Head: Fire Assay and Reference Material Group

Mintek Pty Ltd.; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,300,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Mintek seeks a Head of Fire Assay and Reference Material Group to lead analytics R&D, publications, and staff development. You will drive technical output, guide project milestones, and ensure compliance with SHEQ standards while securing funding for ongoing research in mining-related analytical chemistry.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong communication, and extensive experience in analytical chemistry within the mining/metallurgical sector, reporting to the Analytical Chemistry

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry with 8–12 years in analytical chemistry.
• Experience in mining/metallurgical analysis is a plus.
• ISO 17025 accreditation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration and project management for the group.
• Oversee budgeting, CAPEX approvals and equipment tenders.
• Direct technical outputs, including staff mentoring and publications.
• Ensure SHEQ compliance and quality of outputs for the group.
• Develop funding via proposals and collaborations with partners.
• Manage resources and timelines across multi-year projects.
• Provide strategic leadership and KPI development for the group.
• Engage with industry and academia to advance analytical chemistry.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory management

Team leadership

Publication writing

Strategic planning

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

ICP-MS

ICP-OES

AAS (Atomic Absorption)

Job description

Head: Fire Assay and Reference Material Group

Listing reference: minte_000472

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 13 November 2026

Position summary

Industry: Mining & Quarrying

Job category: Others: RandD, Science and Scientific Research

Location: Randburg

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for the Head: Fire Assay and Reference Material Group, within the Analytical Chemistry Division. The successful candidate will lead research and innovation in analytical chemistry, through proposing appropriate work, leading technical output and developing a strong team to be solution focused in addressing needs of industry and society in this sector.

Administration

• Manage and coordinate project administration activities.
• Oversee office administration.
• Manage and coordinate SHEQ administrative activities.

Finance / Budget:

• Motivation and budgeting for CAPEX; handle tender process for equipment
• Annual budgeting and monthly review. Any marketing measures to implement
• Project monitoring of expenditure against budget.
• Monitor & evaluate project milestones against billing in long-running projects (annual and
  multiple years)
• Manage equipment maintenance/purchase costs against budget
• Ensuring revenue generation for cost-recovery in projects

Technical

• Visibility and credibility- ensuring publication outputs are met i.e. writing of papers for
  journal and conference publication; helping staff achieve these outputs for the group
• Provide technical direction that people can follow and ability to communicate it effectively.
• Monitoring & Evaluation of project milestones to motivate for further funding.
• Proposal writing to secure funding from various sources through technical inputs
• Keep up to date on latest developments in the discipline and in the industry that it
  serves/has potential to serve
• Participate in technical forums, e.g. conferences, client/collaborator engagements
• Technical mentoring, supervision of staff, e.g. postgraduate project supervision

Quality Management and Compliance:

• Quality is part of SHEQ requirements.
• Responsible for quality of technical outputs of the group (e.g. reports, publications) –
  provide technical inputs as necessary
• Ensure all work done in compliance with SHEQ standards (Safety, health, environment
  and quality) for the group
• Facilitate Client survey assessment.

Human Resources

• Provide leadership and proper communication.
• Performance contracting and appraisals, develop KPIs in line with strategic objectives and
  strategic programmes.
• Mentoring and coaching, training development, facilitation

Project Management

• Project administration and record keeping.
• Allocation of resources – people and instrumentation.
• Monitoring of expenditure against budget to contain costs.
• Monitoring milestones against promised deliverables to ensure turnaround time met.
• Ensuring quality of technical outputs.
• Ensure revenue realized for work executed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ideal: PhD in Chemistry

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum experience: 8-10 years’ experience in the analytical chemistry field which is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Ideal: 12 years’ experience.
• Experience in applying knowledge of analytical chemistry to solve problems related to
  the mining and metallurgical industry.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Fundamentals of analytical chemistry.
• Knowledge of Platinum group metals analysis.
• Interpretation of analytical data from various sources of instrumentation, including, but not limited to:
  - Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy
  - Inductively Coupled Plasma –Optical Emission Spectroscopy
  - Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
• Liaise with various stakeholders to show value of analytical chemistry in project
  outcomes for the mining and metallurgical industry, thereby bringing work to the
  division.
• Propose and execute research to develop new applications, methods and solutions to
  problems in the mining and metallurgical industry, through application of analytical and
  environmental chemistry principles.
• Experience and knowledge of laboratory operating under ISO 17025 accreditation.
• Experience in writing technical report.
• Must have experience in managing a sustainable analytical facility.
• Must have a track record of operational management and execution at a business unit
  level.

COMPETENCY REQUIRED

• Effective communication skills –verbal and written
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• People and instrument management and teamwork
• Strategic leadership to set vision for group and deliver on organisational mandate
• Client and Quality data/results orientated