Assistant Laboratory Manager (Various Sites) (ALM25)

Company Description

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS South Africa, Matrolab Division, is seeking to fill a key role in its Civil Engineering Site Laboratories. This role includes assisting the Supervisor/Laboratory Manager with all managerial and laboratory-related tasks, whether on-site or in the commercial laboratory. Responsibilities include checking that all equipment is cleaned and maintained regularly and ensuring materials testing is completed in all laboratory divisions, including soils, asphalt, seals, concrete, and aggregate, with bench calculations as required. The Assistant Laboratory Manager will maintain cleanliness in the laboratory and carry out work-related instructions from technicians, supervisors, or authorized personnel.

The ideal candidate will possess integrity, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to command respect, while maintaining positive staff relationships. A successful candidate will have a track record of delivering performance against strategic objectives, ensuring all quality and testing methods are observed, and reporting any deviations without delay.

Job Description

An Assistant Laboratory Manager is responsible for ensuring adherence to accreditation and Health and Safety regulations in and around the laboratory. Responsibilities include:

1. Verifying that the correct test methods are followed and reporting any deviations to the relevant manager.
2. Adhering to all quality and safety requirements of the SGS management system.
3. Assisting technicians with any job as per instructions from the authorized site supervisor/laboratory manager.
4. Performing any other reasonable tasks assigned by the authorized site supervisor/laboratory manager and regional manager.
5. Ensuring all functions continue per procedure in the absence of the Laboratory Manager.
6. Supporting the Laboratory Manager to ensure all payroll instructions, leave forms, and other administrative duties are carried out.
7. Providing training to reporting staff as needed.

Qualifications

Relevant National Diploma or NQF 6 / Grade 12 or NQF 4 equivalent, or skills and experience sufficient to be recognized as a qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning. Additional qualifications include:

1. Driver's License
2. Relevant National Diploma and ten years of relevant experience or NQF 6 and ten years of relevant experience.
3. Grade 12 and three years of relevant experience or NQF 4 and fifteen years of relevant experience.
4. Familiarity with all Civil Engineering Test Methods under THM1 and SANS.

Additional Information

Competence and qualifications are required to perform all tests in all laboratory divisions, including soils, asphalt, seals, concrete, and aggregate. Additional skills include:

1. Competence in quality laboratory control and implementation.
2. Ability to supervise and execute all field work.
3. Familiarity with COLTO.
4. Knowledge of Health and Safety.
5. Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook).
6. Physical ability and willingness to work with, process, and move samples as required.