Sampling Manager

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 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

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

• Be fully aware of the policies and practices of the company as specified in the Systems Maintenance

Manual and Departmental Procedures.

• Responsibility and authority in relation to the management system of SGS RZA:
• Compliance with relevant standards / methods including all applicable legislation, customer and client requirements.
• Has the responsibility and Authority of ensuring adherence to the Management Systems which complies with SANS ISO/IEC 17025 and OHSAS 18001:2007 standards.
• The Responsibilities and Authority with respect to method modification and development and validation of new /changed methods.
• The responsibility and authority with respect to perform tests/sampling/calibration and evaluation of results.
• 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

• 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