Introduction Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for the Head: Fire Assay and Reference Material Group, within the Analytical Chemistry Division. The successful candidate will lead research and innovation in analytical chemistry, through proposing appropriate work, leading technical output and developing a strong team to be solution focused in addressing needs of industry and society in this sector. Duties & ResponsibilitiesAdministration
Manage and coordinate project administration activities.
Oversee office administration.
Manage and coordinate SHEQ administrative activities.
Book time to ensure positive revenue stream
Motivation and budgeting for CAPEX; handle tender process for equipment
Annual budgeting and monthly review. Any marketing measures to implement
Project monitoring of expenditure against budget.
Monitor & evaluate project milestones against billing in long-running projects (annual and multiple years)
Manage equipment maintenance/purchase costs against budget
Ensuring revenue generation for cost-recovery in projects
Visibility and credibility- ensuring publication outputs are met i.e. writing of papers for journal and conference publication; helping staff achieve these outputs for the group
Provide technical direction that people can follow and ability to communicate it effectively.
Monitoring & Evaluation of project milestones to motivate for further funding.
Proposal writing to secure funding from various sources through technical inputs
Keep up to date on latest developments in the discipline and in the industry that it serves/has potential to serve
Participate in technical forums, e.g. conferences, client/collaborator engagements
Technical mentoring, supervision of staff, e.g. postgraduate project supervision
Quality is part of SHEQ requirements.
Responsible for quality of technical outputs of the group (e.g. reports, publications) -provide technical inputs as necessary
Ensure all work done in compliance with SHEQ standards (Safety, health, environment and quality) for the group
Facilitate Client survey assessment.
Provide leadership and proper communication.
Performance contracting and appraisals, develop KPIs in line with strategic objectives andstrategic programmes.
Mentoring and coaching, training development, facilitation
Project administration and record keeping.
Allocation of resources - people and instrumentation.
Monitoring of expenditure against budget to contain costs.
Monitoring milestones against promised deliverables to ensure turnaround time met.
Ensuring quality of technical outputs.
Ensure revenue realized for work executed.
Minimum: MSc Chemistry/ Science
Ideal: PhD in Chemistry
Minimum experience: 8-10 years' experience in the analytical chemistry field which is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Ideal: 12 years' experience.
Experience in applying knowledge of analytical chemistry to solve problems related to the mining and metallurgical industry.
Fundamentals of analytical chemistry.
Knowledge of Platinum group metals analysis.
Interpretation of analytical data from various sources of instrumentation, including, but not limited to:- Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy- Inductively Coupled Plasma -Optical Emission Spectroscopy- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Liaise with various stakeholders to show value of analytical chemistry in project outcomes for the mining and metallurgical industry, thereby bringing work to the division.
Propose and execute research to develop new applications, methods and solutions to problems in the mining and metallurgical industry, through application of analytical and environmental chemistry principles.
Experience and knowledge of laboratory operating under ISO 17025 accreditation.
Experience in writing technical report.
Must have experience in managing a sustainable analytical facility.
Must have a track record of operational management and execution at a business unit level.
Effective communication skills -verbal and written
Analytical thinking and attention to detail
People and instrument management and teamwork
Strategic leadership to set vision for group and deliver on organisational mandate
Conflict resolution
Client and Quality data/results orientated
Financial management