Shift Team Leader - Instrumentation

ALS; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading analytical services provider in Gauteng, South Africa is seeking a Shift Team Leader - Instrumentation to supervise laboratory technicians and ensure the efficient operation of analytical instruments. Candidates should have a diploma in Analytical Chemistry and relevant experience in lab operations and supervisory roles. This position demands strong leadership skills in a high-pressure environment with an emphasis on quality and safety standards.

Benefits

Health and Safety Training

Opportunities for Professional Development

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of hands-on lab experience with analytical instruments.
• 1-2 years in a supervisory or senior technician role.
• Basic computer literacy (Excel, LIMS).

Responsibilities

• Supervise shift team ensuring compliance with HSE and QC.
• Maintain and operate analytical instruments efficiently.
• Train and support team members in laboratory procedures.

Skills

Supervisory Skills

Analytical Instrument Operations

Team Leadership

Calibration Techniques

Quality Control

Education

National Diploma or BTech/BSc in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

ICP-OES

AAS

XRF

Job description

Main Purpose

The Shift Team Leader - Instrumentation is responsible for supervising a team of laboratory technicians and ensuring the efficient operation of analytical instruments (such as AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, or XRF) during their shift. Their main objective is to deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality analytical results while maintaining equipment performance, safety, and compliance with quality standards (e.g. ISO 17025).

Compliance

• Practice and adherence to the ALS Health and Safety Foundation Standards
• Refer to Annexure for that outlines the procedure that applies to all ALS sites and activities. It outlines the requirements associated with ALS's management structure and organisation as they relate to safety, occupational health, and environmental protection.
• This procedure addresses the areas of appointments, accountability, and individual responsibilities.
• Practice and adherence to the ALS company core values
• Abide by the ALS company policies and procedures.
• Always follow all ALS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Duties

ICP / AAS / MS / XRF / LECO

Overall responsible for the shift team's HSE, QC, and HR compliance during shift

Organize workload according to daily stats and turnaround time demands

Follow up on priority work orders

Ensure all documentation related to maintenance, calibration and training are always up to date and available during shift schedule

Perform pre-shift checks and post-shift checks and act on any non-conformances where required

Overall responsible for maintenance of minimum stock levels during shift

Able to do QC and turnaround time investigations when required

Overall responsible for the shift's work schedules, timesheets, and maintenance of the company's disciplinary code within the shift team

In conjunction with the Instrumentation Manager, propose for improvements in routine and non-routine procedures and assist with the validation of new methods timeously.

Maintain up to date communication with the Instrumentation Manager on issues that may involve the shift team, production or any other matter relating to the team's performance and operation. Assist to resolve these timeously

Responsible for run approvals.

Submit QC Charts to QC monthly

Responsible for the discarding of racks after approval

Familiarize with workorder approvals within the Instrumentation section in reasonable and due time. A thorough understanding of these tasks is critical and must be acquired within reasonable time.

Assist to continuously improve TAT and estimation of results reporting (ETA)

In conjunction with the Instrumentation Manager, assist with repair and maintenance scheduling of all equipment in the section.

Assist with the ordering of consumables and other related Instrumentation supplies by alerting the Instrumentation manager of low stock levels.

May be required to perform backup managerial duties in the absence of the Instrumentation Manager.

Trained and competent in most instrumentation techniques i.e. ICP, AAS, MS, XRF, and Leco

Provide technical support and training to T1, and other staff employed in the section from time to time

Accurately organize and prioritize analysis of samples through appropriate tracking and traceability protocols

Regularly follow up on departmental aging statistics and liase with section head / production coordinator regarding planning and scheduling.

Supervise, organize and train new technicians and laboratory operators

Recording of instrument performance, maintenance of lab equipment and problems encountered in maintenance logbook

Ensure all data and rush orders and priority work are reviewed, approved and released to client in timely manner.

Keep track of turnaround on GEMS and liase with section head / production coordinator regarding appropriate course taken to address backlogged scenarios.

Use QC charts on GEMS to solve basic QC problems

Perform all other reasonable duties as determined by the line management.

Assist in clearing of Non-Conformances

Finalize and approve data with assistance and initiate re-runs or reweighs

Follow direction in analysing non routine methods by applying sound analytical logic.

Retrieve CRM data from Gems and compile QC charts

Function in the capacity of shift team leader if so required.

Familiarize with company policies, protocols, Instrumentation work procedures

Responsible for appropriate housekeeping and proper handling of samples and related consumables and equipment.

Follow all HSE protocols of the Instrumentation section and the laboratory as a whole

Familiarize and understand the basic principles of instrumental techniques in due / reasonable time i.e. ICP, AAS, MS, XRF, and Leco

Must be able to run routine and non-routine analysis on the instruments on which the employee is trained

Operate and perform first line, preventative and breakdown maintenance, basic trouble shooting on instruments and auto-sampler

Completely familiarize with GEMS functionality for batching of instrument runs.

Must be able to prepare and test calibration standards for instrumentation using solution techniques

Prepare sample dilutions, instrument solutions plus QC solutions, i.e. rinses / IEC / QC

Ensure appropriate sample tracking of prepared and available samples in the section. Able to scan runs to correct locations

Timeously identify and correct instrument QC related problems, ensuring quality data throughput from the instruments against set production targets

Maintain consistent production targets on all instrumentation. (per shift)

PGMs = 600 samples / ICP

Base Metals = 480 samples / ICP

Au = 600 samples / AAS

Base Metals = 500 Samples / AAS

Base Metals = 350 Samples / ICPMS

Leco (C & S) = 250 Samples

Borate fusions = 600 Samples / XRF

Must be fully conversant with data approval at Technician data approval stage (Tech Approval)

Retrieve and dump racks properly with appropriate tracking and traceability of instrument / digestion runs

Exercise flexibility with assisting in other lab departments with appropriate training provided

Perform any other duties deemed fit by the supervisor and with appropriate training provided

Qualifications

National Diploma or BTech / BSc in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related science field

3-5+ years of hands-on lab experience with analytical instruments (e.g. ICP-OES, AAS, XRF)

1-2 years in a supervisory or senior technician role

Strong knowledge of instrument calibration, operation, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance (especially ICP, XRF, AAS)

Basic computer literacy (Excel, LIMS, instrument software)

Familiarity with ISO 17025, QA / QC protocols, and data integrity practices

Training in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or audit readiness

First Aid, SHEQ awareness, or Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

Manufacturer or vendor-specific training on ICP, XRF, or AAS systems

Able to lead and motivate a team during high-pressure, shift-based work

Ensures data accuracy and instrument reliability

Quick resolution of equipment faults and analytical issues

Clear reporting, shift handovers, and team coordination

Prioritizing tasks, managing throughput, meeting deadlines