Job Description

The overall responsibility of the successful candidate will be the management and strategic direction of all aspects of the chemistry laboratory's, ensuring availability of adequate resources, applying cutting edge technology and developing appropriate analytical techniques to produce water quality data and information that ensure water quality monitoring ad compliance meet national and international standards in-line with the strategic objectives of Rand Water.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Education:

• NQF 8 BSc (Hons.) Degree in Chemistry or Natural Sciences or Innovation & Technology
• NQF 7 in Management
• Registration with a recognized professional body

Desired Education:

• NQF 9 Master's Degree in Chemistry or Natural Sciences or Innovation Technology
• NQF 8 in Management

Minimum Experience:

• Eight years' experience, with at least five years' experience in laboratory management (human, financial, and infrastructure resources).
• Eight years' experience in the application of laboratory and environmental quality assurance (QA), good laboratory practice (GLP) and management systems including laboratory safety practices.
• Five years' experience in providing a consultancy service related to Chemical and environmental sciences and Chemistry of drinking water quality.
• More than five years' experience in the development, implementation and management of multi- disciplinary research programmes and /or special problem-solving investigations.
• Good scientific publication and report producing record

Primary Duties

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the Chemistry Section that would result in competent accredited laboratories with the necessary resources, that will enable the laboratory to provide chemical data and information.
• Responsible for the selection of analytical infrastructure, applicable methodology or instrumentation and skill to effectively apply the financial resources and systems to ensure the development, optimisation, safe implementation and conduction of analytical testing procedures and processes
• Accountable for the procurement of laboratory goods and services to meet resource requirements as well as compliance requirements as stipulated in the Rand Water SCM policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the management of human resources to ensure an effective work force that deliver on the Section's responsibility to Rand water, its customers and partners
• Accountable for the timeous delivery the analytical data and associated information that meets national (SANS 241, Blue Drop and Green Drop) and international standards using best fit technology.
• Conduct the necessary investigations and solve customer complaints and enquiries related to chemical aspects of water value chain (source to drinking to catchment)
• Accountable for the management of all quality and safety aspects of the chemistry laboratories (Inorganic and Organic Chemistry) to ensure a comprehensive and competitive service that meets applicable standards (ISO 17025, ISO 9000, ISO 45001, ISO 14001) is delivered or rendered at all times even in the midst of a pandemic (e.g. COVID-19)
• Responsible for the provision of a consultancy service and technical support related to all aspects of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry to the various departments in Rand Water, its external customers and partners.
• Initiate and manage innovative water related multi-disciplinary research or special investigations in the Inorganic and Organic Chemistry fields that would support the strategic objectives of Rand Water.

Knowledge

• Desired best practices and trends for the Chemical testing of water and QMS implementation.
• Sound knowledge of the application of audit functions as required by ISO 17025.
• Sound knowledge and application of national and international trends in Chemical monitoring, testing, and quality assurance of water throughout the water cycle.
• Knowledge of the Blue Drop, Green Drop and SANS 241 water quality requirements in contest of Water Safety Plans and legal requirements.
• Knowledge of environmental health and health.
• Knowledge of water treatment and sanitation systems.
• Hands-on experience with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management) systems.

Skills

• Project management experience
• Experience in the strategic planning as required for accredited analytical water laboratory to meet customer requirements and company objectives.
• Strategic research planning to ensure continuous improvement as required by ISO 17025 and to proactively identify and mitigate possible Chemical water quality treatment problems.
• Verbal and written communication skills on corporate and senior management level
• Skilled in the application of water analytical methodologies and instrumental techniques
• Skilled in the application of a LIMS system (Laboratory Information Management System)
• Management of a laboratory and its staff to ensure optimal utilisation of all resources and meeting of set targets
• Budget compilation, appropriate allocation and utilisation within budgetary guidelines
• Effective report writing and verbal communication skills
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft applications

Attitude

• Self-motivated, quality driven output person who can handle pressure and complex problems.
• Ability to foster collaborative interactions internally and external customers.
• Cross-disciplinary team worker with strong ability to work independently.
• Conscientious and pays attention to detail
• Willingness to work after hours, weekends and public holidays.