Chief Chemist

To lead the chemical laboratory’s technical operations—ensuring that testing is accurate, reliable, completed within agreed timelines, and performed in accordance with approved analytical methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and applicable regulatory/quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities & Duties1. Laboratory Operations & Supervision

• Workload Allocation: Plan, organize, and direct daily chemical laboratory workflows based on staff competence, sample urgency, and capacity.
• Turnaround Management: Maintain optimal throughput to ensure timely reporting without compromising quality or safety.

2. Sample Handling & Traceability

• Chain of Custody: Oversee sample receipt, login, labeling, preservation, storage, preparation, analysis, and disposal.
• Integrity Checks: Verify sample suitability upon arrival and escalate any integrity or preservation issues affecting testing validity.

3. Analytical Methods & Validation

• Method Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to standard test methods (e.g., ASTM, ISO, APHA, USEPA) and internal SOPs.
• Method Development: Lead method verification, validation, and implementation for new parameters, maintaining complete validation records and acceptance criteria.

4. Technical Review & Data Verification

• Data Auditing: Review raw worksheets, instrument printouts, calibration curves, and calculations for accuracy and traceability.
• Inconsistency Resolution: Investigate anomalous, out-of-spec (OOS), or inconsistent results before authorization and report release.

5. Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC)

• QC Execution: Implement quality measures including method blanks, matrix spikes, duplicates, certified reference materials (CRMs), and control charts.
• Data Integrity: Ensure results are approved and released only when all associated QC acceptance criteria are fully met.

6. Equipment & Instrument Management

• Maintenance & Calibration: Oversee preventive maintenance, routine calibration, and daily verification of instrumentation (e.g., Spectrophotometers, Chromatography, Titrators, Balances).
• Out-of-Service Protocol: Tag, isolate, and remove malfunctioning or uncalibrated equipment from service until corrective action and re-verification are complete.

7. Chemical, Reagent & Reference Standard Management

• Standardization & Storage: Supervise the preparation, standardization, labeling, storage, and shelf-life tracking of reagents and standards.
• Procurement Technical Specs: Monitor stock levels and prepare technical specifications for timely procurement of high-purity chemicals and standards.

8. Quality System Compliance (ISO/IEC 17025)

• QMS Implementation: Maintain technical compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and internal laboratory management system guidelines.
• Record Keeping: Ensure technical logs, equipment usage records, and SOP documentation remain complete, current, and audit-ready.

9. Nonconforming Work & Corrective Action (CAPA)

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Identify procedural errors, testing deviations, or equipment failures; assess impact on historic and current data.
• CAPA Execution: Lead RCA and implement robust corrective actions in collaboration with the General Manager and Quality Manager.

10. Staff Training, Mentorship & Competency

• Personnel Development: Train, mentor, and evaluate analysts and support personnel on technical procedures and safety protocol.
• Competency Assessment: Conduct periodic technical competency evaluations and recommend formal test authorizations based on demonstrated skill.

11. Audits & Proficiency Testing (PT)

• Audit Support: Represent the chemical department during internal audits, client evaluations, and external accreditation assessments.
• PT Schemes: Coordinate interlaboratory comparison and proficiency testing programs; investigate and resolve any questionable or unsatisfactory $Z$-scores.

12. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Safety Enforcement: Enforce mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compliance, chemical safety practices, and SDS guidelines.
• Waste Management: Oversee proper segregation, storage, and hazardous chemical waste disposal while responding to spills and safety incidents.

13. Technical Coordination & Client Communications

• Interdepartmental Liaison: Coordinate with sampling and customer care teams regarding sample requirements, turnaround expectations, and technical queries.
• Technical Scope: Provide professional interpretations and opinion strictly within the laboratory's accredited scope and authorized limits.

14. Performance Monitoring & Capacity Planning

• KPI Tracking: Monitor key metrics including pending sample queues, repeat analysis rates, and instrument downtime.
• Continuous Improvement: Submit regular operational updates to the General Manager with recommendations to improve capacity and efficiency.

15. Confidentiality, Impartiality & Professional Integrity

• Data Security: Safeguard client data and proprietary lab reports.
• Ethical Compliance: Uphold data integrity and report any commercial or financial pressures that could compromise analytical results.

16. Additional Duties

• Perform other technical and administrative tasks assigned by management consistent with qualifications and operational needs.

Position Specifications & Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive testing experience in a chemical testing laboratory, with demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in instrumental chemical analysis, QA/QC protocols, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Competencies: Strong leadership, root-cause analytical thinking, attention to detail, clear communication, and safe laboratory practices.

Work Location: In person