Cane Testing Service - Laboratory Manager (Komati, Mpumalanga) at Ntice Search

About the position

SASA- Cane Testing Service - Laboratory Manager



The South African Sugar Association (SASA)has a permanent vacancy for a Cane Testing Service: Laboratory Manager based in Komati, Mpumalanga.

The Cane Testing Service (CTS) provides a specialist analytical service to the sugarcane growers and sugar millers at the interface where the buying and selling of sugarcane takes place, through the impartial determination of the value of sugarcane. Having provided this service for some 80 years, CTS enjoys a long-standing reputation of integrity and impartiality in conducting this critical function of fair and equitable sugarcane testing.

The Laboratory Manager/Cane Testing Manager is tasked with managing the service of quality data provision and provides an important interface between the organization and its customers. In order to secure and maintain the confidence of the industry in our data provision, CTS encourages a high level of technical proficiency.

This role will be reporting to the CTS Regional Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Education and Experience:

• A minimum BSc Degree/National Diploma: Analytical Chemistry/Chemical Engineering and the potential to acquire a postgraduate qualification in Science, Chemistry and/or quality assurance (e.g., BSc Hons or MTech)

Skills, Knowledge, and Qualities:

• Solid laboratory management experience, ideally obtained in a 24-hour plant / manufacturing environment, of which three or more years will have been at a supervisory level
• Thorough understanding of laboratory practices and procedures
• Strong focus on customer service
• Familiarity with current labor legislation and IR experience in a unionized environment
• Expert knowledge of a quality system that is focused on the customer (not just an internally focused QA system)
• A demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) technical information to a diverse audience drawing on sound understanding of scientific and/or analysis principles in solving complex technical problems
• Proficiency at an intermediate level in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint with the potential to develop these further to an advanced level
• Above average numerical reasoning skill
• The ability to remain focused and resilient in high stakes situations
• Strong leadership potential underpinned by impeccable personal and business ethics
• A proven track record of effectively leading a team in the absence of onsite supervision
• A history of having exercised sound judgement across a range of technical and people related issues
• The skills and capability to establish and maintain credible and confident relationships with customers and employees and to relate well to people at all levels while building a wide and effective network of contacts

Salary:

• Market Related

Desired Skills:

• Laboratory
• Management
• Microbiology