The position of Colour Laboratory Technical Services Manager has arisen within our ICC Colourants team, based in Midrand. This position will report to the Sales and Marketing Manager.Purpose: The Colour Laboratory Technical Service Manager leads colour laboratory operations and technical service delivery to ensure consistent product quality, effective customer support and the successful execution of colour-related projects. The role translates customer requirements into practical technical solutions; develops, validates and implements colour technologies, formulations, databases and processes; supports product development and production; and builds laboratory capability to meet current and future business needs.Key Performance Areas: Lead technical service and colour projects from initial enquiry to implementation by clarifying customer requirements, preparing project briefs, defining deliverables, allocating resources and managing timelines, risks and communication. Act as the primary technical interface with customers; conduct planned site visits, review colour performance, resolve technical concerns and issue clear visit reports, recommendations and follow-up actions. Lead colour matching, formulation development, product evaluation, trials, validation and scale-up in collaboration with product development, quality, production, sales, procurement and other relevant functions. Oversee the creation, cleansing, transfer, implementation, security and ongoing maintenance of customer and internal colour databases, formula libraries and related software. Investigate colour deviations, complaints and recurring process problems using structured problem solving and root-cause analysis; implement and verify corrective and preventive actions. Establish and manage colour standards, approved samples, tolerances, test methods, calibration requirements and monitoring programmes to ensure repeatability, reproducibility and quality consistency. Optimize formulations and colour-related processes to improve first-time-right performance, reduce waste and rework, shorten turnaround times and manage raw material and operating costs. Develop and implement new colour technologies, instruments, software and working methods, including feasibility assessment, validation, change control, documentation and user training. Monitor laboratory and technical service performance through agreed measures, analyse trends and report risks, progress and improvement opportunities to management. Ensure laboratories are appropriately staffed, equipped and maintained, with suitable instruments, reference standards, approved materials, consumables, service schedules and calibration records. Prepare and control laboratory budgets, forecasts and resource plans, and support the technical evaluation of suppliers, raw materials, equipment and service providers. Maintain accurate formulations, specifications, technical reports, project records, test results, standard operating procedures and controlled documents in accordance with governance and retention requirements. Review and improve test methods, specifications and standard operating procedures; ensure methods are fit for purpose and consistently applied across laboratories. For the current issue, refer to the Electronic Document Management System. Recruit, induct, train, coach and mentor laboratory employees; set objectives, monitor performance, address capability gaps and support succession and skills development. Promote continuous improvement by identifying opportunities, leading improvement initiatives and sharing technical learning and best practice across the business. Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, environmental and quality requirements, company policies and ISO management systems; participate in risk assessments, audits and corrective-action programmes. Monitor relevant market, regulatory and technology developments and recommend appropriate responses, investments or capability improvements. Protect confidential customer information, formulations, intellectual property and controlled technical data. Conduct investigations on customer complaints - Exhibiting the capability to identify the underlying factors that contribute to the complaint. Exhibit strong Project Management skills, from Project initiation to project completion, optimizing the resources to minimize project duration and prioritize projects Development of Case Studies and Marketing material to support sales Development and delivery of marketing presentations to customersSkill, Knowledge and Experience Requirements: Minimum 8 years' experience in a colour, coatings or paint laboratory, including practical colour formulation and colour matching experience. Colour science and formulation: Advanced knowledge of pigments, dyes, resins, additives, substrates, metamerism, colour difference and formulation principles. Colour measurement technology: Proficiency in spectrophotometry, colorimetry, instrument configuration, calibration, tolerancing and interpretation of colour data. Colour software and databases: Competence in colour-matching software, formula and standards databases, data transfer, version control and data integrity. Laboratory methods and quality control: Practical knowledge of sampling, testing, method validation, measurement-system capability, standards management and laboratory good practice.Manufacturing and scale-up: Understanding of production processes, raw material variability, batch adjustment, process controls and the transfer of laboratory solutions into production. Technical problem-solving: Ability to use structured root-cause analysis, statistical and trend data, risk assessment and corrective-action tools to resolve complex issues. Project management: Ability to define scope, priorities, resources, milestones, risks and stakeholder expectations across multiple concurrent projects. Customer technical service: Strong consulting, requirements-gathering, expectation-management and technical presentation skills. control, risk controls and laboratory safety requirements.Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Colour Science
Desired Skills:
Colour
Laboratory
Raw Material
Batch