SOCAR Downstream is looking for a Laboratory Manager

Position: Laboratory Manager

Job Holder manages the overall HAOR laboratory activities supporting the field operations (sampling) and analyses/reviews all sample reports to issue to the customers for all range of products in different sections of the laboratory as routine (Liquid and Gas Hydrocarbon, Environmental, Coke, TBP) and Non-Routine sections.These services will be in compliance with Componay requlations, Azerbaijani law and ISO 17025:2017(or the latest version) for the accredited test parameters.

Job Holder ensures efficient and reliable lab operations considering all HSE aspects that are in place and followed. He/She ensures that output (final results), quality and safety targets are achieved in timely manner.

This is a critical technical position dealing with the overall lab testing and managment of the laboratory for internal and external purposes while ensuring the continuous functioning and improvement of the Laboratory quality management system.

Responsibilities

The Job Holder manages for SDM HAOR Laboratory Operations (70+FTE) as holding the title of SDM HAOR Laboratory Manager.

The SDM HAOR Laboratory Manager has the following accountabilities:

• Acts as the technical focal point of the laboratory together with Lab Director.

• Leads Laboratory Operation Supervisors, ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of their duties

• Guides Lab leads for AzerneftYag and Bitum Laboratories (remote), ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of their duties.

• Execute the sample & analysis plan, consisting of measurement of samples delivered, to provide quality and timely results.

• Sets the SDM HAOR Lab strategy together with Lab Director.

• Acts as the final authority for all laboratory tests’ results for all laboratory teams; ensures the accuracy and reliability of all laboratory tests.

• Verifies through supervision the consistency of the implemented standards, specifications and procedures for all analytical tests carried out in company

• Ensures LIMS is used efficiently as per sample flow, test methods and reporting requirements, SOPs, spec control, SOCs and reporting. Train and delegates work to lab supervisors in order to efficiently monitor the lab workload for identifying manpower and overall lab trends to report on monthly basis.

• Leads developing work plans, work instructions, procedures, policies, protocols, worksheets, validations, logbooks and ensures coordination and implementation of action plans related to laboratory Quality Management System activities together with QAQC Team.

• Consistently informs Laboratory Director on critical technical/quality issues and suggest solutions for the continues improvement of the system

• Supports Lab Director on preparing laboratory monthly report identify the high and lows from the technical and quality perspective in accordance with ISO 17025.

• Arranges and carries out proficiency tests in liaison with QAQC Team.

• Manages day to day activities on staff resources, organizes over-time management

• Verifies good laboratory practices by supervising all analyses conducted on a daily basis for different type of fluids and solids

• Ensures turnaround times and early on time service delivery quality to the customers

• Ensures HSE for the Laboratory premises and the equipment it contains

• Encourages and participates weekly safety toolbox meetings & Walk and Talk sessions to improve analytical and safety awareness of the staff – together with HSE Specialist.

• Supports (with the QA/QC Specialist) for internal/external audits of the laboratory and leads operational teams readiness.

• Manages Purchases Requisitions, clarifying with Lab Director and external parties, in order to assure the normal flow of consumables, spare parts, and chemicals by contractors, to allow continuous un-interrupted analytical support to operations. Delegates work to section supervisors on this and strictly monitors.

• Participates into internal and external client meeting, presentations, management reviews.

• Provides full time coaching for the local personnel to improve technical capabilities.

• Supports Lab Director to develop financial figures for annual budget.

• Supports Lab Director for Laboratory HR activities and manpower coordination/requirement identifying suitable candidates and conducting interviews.

• Ensures all related quality aspects are met for the field operations including fields testing and sample storage, chemical storage and waste management activities where required.

• Remains overall responsible for the stock-in/stock-out for SDM HAOR Laboratory.

• Remains responsible for the items and delegations described in Table of Authority in Quality Manual.

• Remains committed to annual company objectives and individual goals and targets.

• Supports Lab Director and carries out annual staff appraisals and performance reviews.

• Ensure the timely and correct use of personal protective equipment.

• Intervenes where necessary without hesitation and reminds HSE rules and regulations for all lab related aspects.

• Conducts safety meetings for personnel.

Requirements

University degree in Chemistry (or equivalent) in technical sciences.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a Chemical Laboratory related to Oil and Gas, Environmental Industries with a minimum of 5 years supervisory experience.

• Experience in Chemical Laboratory Quality Management System administration

• Knowledge in Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, ILAC requirements

• Knowledge of the statistical tools used in the evaluation of QA/QC parameters such as uncertainty evaluation, method validation, proficiency tests results evaluation;

• Knowledge of the standards used for the expression of results in the reports to ensure quality aspects are covered.

• Good working knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

• Good organization and team working skills.

Any other specific requirements

Good communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to make presentations and write effective reports, in particular for Management Reviews

• Ability to work in team environments, communicate, understand and work within the dynamics of a multi-functional and multi-location environment

• Pleasant personality and ability to listen & influence personnel not directly under his/her responsibility;

• Ability to lead and coach international and national staff

• Capacity to integrate within an international and national workforce

• Problem solving and analytical/computer skills

• Strong commitment to safety

• Comprehensive knowledge and extended experience in chemical laboratory analyses and testing (crude oil, lube oil, liquid and gas refinery products and by-products processing and treatment, environmental, microbiology, coke, sulfur, amine, glycol, caustic)

• Quality control techniques of above activities including field activities (Good Laboratory Practice, ISO 17025 etc);

• Has leadership (influencing) skills and commercial skills to influence suppliers to drive innovation to address existing or emerging technology challenges & deploy new analytical techniques

• Coach for performance within and across Group organization

Application Instruction:

Kindly submit your CV to [email protected] and indicate the position you are applying for in the Subject line. All applications for the advertised post will be assessed and given equal opportunities.

Application closing date: 20.09.2023

Laboratory Manager