Laboratory Manager

About Petrolube:

Petrolube is the largest lubricants producer and supplier in Saudi Arabia.

Home to the iconic Petromin brand, Petrolube offers customers superior quality products that meet their evolving needs. We do this through an unrivalled range of high-quality, increasingly sustainable, and diverse portfolio of brands.

Job Summary

Manage the laboratory operation at Petrolube's Jeddah plant. Responsible for managing laboratory personnel, overseeing smooth running of QC activities related to FG, RMs and all samples tested within the lab, maintaining accreditation of the lab, running reformulation projects, and collaborating with stakeholders such as Technology, QA, Plant operations, Supply Chain, and 3P contractors to effectively execute the job responsibilities. Manage CAPEX and OPEX related to Laboratory operation.

Principal Responsibilities

Laboratory Operation Management:

• Manage day-to-day operation of Quality Control (Q.C.) and Product Development at Jeddah Laboratory.
• Manage laboratory and personnel KPIs.
• Manage quality standards such as ISO 17025, ISO 9001, SASO certifications etc.
• Manage laboratory CAPEX and OPEX including review and upgrades.
• Manage workflow within the laboratory.
• Ensure smooth operation of laboratory equipment through preventive and predictive maintenance practices.
• Propose and execute enhancements to the laboratory infrastructure and systems in line with business requirements and aspirations.

Personnel Management:

• Supervise a team of Chief Chemists, Chemists, and Laboratory Assistants.
• Ensure competence development of the team.
• Collaborate with Technology team for NPIs, work-offs, blend optimization, complaint management, and new RM approvals.
• Work with QA and Compliance for laboratory certification and quality management.
• Coordinate with Plant operations for day-to-day execution of FG and RM QC with agreed TAT.
• Engage with Supply Chain for RM quality management.
• Support Technical Services and After Sales for troubleshooting and field trials.

HSEQ and Company Policy:

• Ensure safety for self and the team and ensure third parties adhere to HSE guidelines, adopting and promoting risk prevention attitudes and health initiatives.
• Comply with legal requirements and internal HSEQ procedures.
• Contribute to environmental preservation and the elimination of workplace accident risks and occupational diseases.
• Work in compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Mental Demands

Important part of the job:

• Daily supervision of a team of Senior Chemists, Chemists, and Laboratory Assistants.
• Close collaboration with Plant Operations, Technology, QA, and Supply Chain.

Difficult/Complex Part of Job:

• Managing communication and working relationships.
• Managing TAT.

Creativity required in the job:

• Solve non-routine problems related to product quality and optimize work-offs.
• Create a high-performance culture within the team, encouraging a continuous desire to learn and improve performance using best practices.

Job Knowledge:

• University degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent.
• More than 5 years in lubricants or similar laboratory.

Knowledge:

• Formulation of lubricants
• Physical-chemical analysis
• QC and R&D equipment
• People management
• Cost & Budget Management
• Intermediate MS Office skills
• ISO 9001, ISO 17025

Language Skills:

• English - fluent