Sampling Plant Manager: DBT Richards Bay

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

The purpose of this document is to define roles, delegating responsibilities and accountabilities and authorities, to facilitate effective Quality and QH&S Management.

Responsibilities

• Be fully aware of the policies and practices of the company as specified in the Systems Maintenance Manual and Departmental Procedures.
• Compliance with relevant standards / methods including all applicable legislation, customer and client requirements.
• Has the responsibility of ensuring adherence to the Management Systems which complies with SANS ISO/IEC 17025 and OHSAS 18001:2007 standards.  Maintain SANAS and OHSAS accreditations.
• To execute work timeously, ethically and efficiently.   Adhering to Safety, Health, Environment and Quality policies and instructions.  Upkeep of preparation area.  To ensure the preparation of samples are performed according to customer requirements and adheres to correct procedures, methods and specifications.  To communicate clear, unambiguous work-related instructions to Sample Preparation Staff.  To ensure that all Sampling and Sample Preparation operations run efficiently on a day to day basis.  To identify training needs, train, develop staff to their full potential and perform witnessing of activities according to training and audit schedules. To ensure training and witnessing of activities are fully documented and updated on the relevant forms.  To declare sampling and sample preparation staff competent to perform tests and fit to use specific items of equipment based on the outcome of training and witnessing of work activities.  When equipment malfunctions or any abnormalities in tests being performed do not conform to procedures or methods defined, to stop work promptly report to the Branch  Manager, implement corrective actions from the outcome of the root cause investigation and to authorize resumption of work.  Shall read shipping operational instructions and ensure that the instructions are understood, before assigning work to staff.  Shall assign work to staff, ensure that every job is started timeously and processed according to written instructions and completed within scheduled time frames.
• Shall participate in root cause investigations regarding incidents / accidents, job queries, errors and repeats and implement selected corrective and /or preventative actions.
• Shall check the completed calculations and reports of all preparation performed.
• Shall keep a close watch on jobs in progress and promptly utilize additional operations or equipment as required to prevent bottle-necking effects.
• Shall justify expenditure when required and maintain a realistic costing system and work within allocated budget. Shall ensure that equipment is serviced according to maintenance and calibration schedules.
• Shall ensure that sampling and sample preparation staff use correct equipment, wear correct PPE and use proper tools when performing tasks. Shall conduct on the job training on new methods and equipment.
• Shall inspect and monitor staff continuously while work is in progress. Shall ensure correct sample storage as per procedure or clients request. Shall ensure regular stock taking to prevent unnecessary down-time (plastic bags, etc.).  Shall attend SHEQ meetings and training programmes held within the company.
• Shall always ensure that company and regulatory safety, health and environmental policies and procedures are strictly followed.  Shall maintain good housekeeping and to keep workplace clean and tidy.
• Adhere to all quality and safety requirements of the SGS Management System.
• Perform any other reasonable tasks as assigned by direct line manager.

• Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science
• Analytical Chemistry diploma or equivalent 

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years sampling and preparation experience preferably in coal.
• Working knowledge of laboratory in line with ISO 17025.   
• Fluent in English
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Well organized. 
• Computer literate.

• Ability to understand and explain technical (HSE specific) topics for all levels of personnel
• Ability to understand site contributions to Regional OI Performance and capability to use existing tools; prioritizing risks and influencing factors
• Ability to influence without direct reporting lines
• Ability to evaluate the accuracy of root cause analysis and the effectiveness of proposed solutions
• Sufficient knowledge of English to communicate with the OI Manager and to understand Global OI Communications
• Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, possible improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.
• Report any faulty and/or nonfunctioning apparatus or equipment to the immediate superior.
• Each staff member has the authority to cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard and/or work that may affect the quality or integrity of test results.
• Any person has the right to refuse to perform work that may damage the environment in an imminent and serious way and to report such a situation. The employee has the responsibility to protect the environment as well.
• Cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard or entry to hazardous environments without the necessary knowledge and protection and report the situation to higher authority to take action.
• Cease to carry on with work that may affect the quality (integrity) of services and report the situation to higher authority to take action.
• Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, possible improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.