Section Manager: Fire Assay and sample Prep

SGS; Randfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS is seeking a Section Manager for Fire Assay and Sample Preparation to lead and optimize daily operations in the Geochem department. The role focuses on budgeting, staffing, workflow optimization, and client liaison to ensure throughput and quality.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in analytical chemistry with strong leadership, planning, and compliance with ISO17025/SANAS standards.

Qualifications

• Requires B.Sc/BTech or National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry with minimum 5 years in the field.
• Proven senior supervisory/management experience in a fire assay or geochemistry environment.
• Strong leadership, planning, and staff development capabilities.
• Solid knowledge of ISO17025 and SANAS, and quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day management and operations of the Geochem Fire Assay and sample preparation departments.
• Plan and monitor budgets (capital, revenue, expenses) and ensure cost effectiveness.
• Maintain shift structures and rosters to meet workload and client commitments.
• Manage stock levels and procurement within budget constraints.
• Coordinate method development and validation activities and ensure equipment maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team management

LIMS proficiency

Coordination abilities

Quality & compliance

Education

B.Sc in Analytical Chemistry

BTech in Analytical Chemistry

National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

LIMS system

Job description

Section Manager: Fire Assay and sample Prep

Full-time

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day‑to‑day management, planning, coordination, and operation of the Geochem Fire Assay department and sample Preparation.
• Responsible for planning, reviewing, and monitoring capital, revenue, and expense budgeting.
• Maintain appropriate shift structures and shift rosters to address workload and throughput as per sectional capacity targets and client commitments.
• Maintain, monitor, procure and manage appropriate stock levels within budgetary constraints and workload requirements.
• Responsible for sample routing, formulating changes, improving workflow, and maximum utilization of resources in the departments.
• Coordinate Method Development and Method Validation.
• Responsible for effective and appropriate use of equipment and facilities, including breakdowns, maintenance, repairs and servicing according to internal schedules.
• Responsible for development, effective utilization and supervision of human resources within the department, including training, recruitment and disciplinary issues.
• Keeping abreast of new trends and current developments in Analytical Science.
• Attending client meetings, liaising with clients when required.
• Assisting with results evaluation and validation.
• Ensuring that bowl weights are reported on a weekly basis to the Quality Manager by the Sample Prep Supervisor.
• Determine, manage, and drive initiatives to implement and monitor accreditation requirements as per SGS and ISO17025.
• Responsible for Health and Safety within the Geochem Fire Assay and sample prep departments.
• Ensuring that company policies are adhered to by all staff and communicating any changes to these policies to the staff.
• Complying and conforming to the QHSE policy of the company.
• Must be fully acquainted with the LIMS system.
• Must comply with and conform to the Quality Management System (ISO17025 and SANAS).
• Adhere to all quality and safety requirements of the SGS management system.
• Perform any other reasonable tasks assigned by direct line manager.

Education

• B.Sc, BTech or National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years in the relevant field.
• Solid Management/Senior Supervisory experience.
• Validating and reporting results.
• Solid Fire Assay technical knowledge.
• Good planning, coordination and management skills.
• Good team management and motivation skills.
• Strong and assertive leadership skills, while maintaining good staff relationships.

Compliance & Authority

• 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 take action to address the hazard.
• Cease to carry on with work that may affect the quality (integrity) of services and take action to address the issue.
• Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, possible improvements are identified, or when nonconformity is identified.