Chief Chemist

Key Responsibilities

1.  ISO/IEC 17025 Technical Management

• Act as the primary technical representative during internal audits and external assessments by accreditation bodies.

• Ensure full technical compliance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard across all analytical workflows.

• Manage, evaluate, and authorize the Estimation of Measurement Uncertainty (MU) for all accredited methods.

• Coordinate and evaluate Proficiency Testing (PT) and Inter-Laboratory Comparisons (ILC), implementing corrective actions for any unsatisfactory results.

• Review and approve technical records, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and proper documentation practices.

• Lead technical root cause analysis (RCA) for non-conformances, out-of-specification (OOS) results, and customer complaints, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

2.  Analytical & Technical Leadership

• Lead the development, optimization, validation, and verification of new analytical test methods.

• Approve and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical manuals, and validation reports.

• Oversee the laboratory's equipment calibration and maintenance programs, ensuring all analytical instruments (e.g., IC, XRF, XRD, ICP-OES, FTIR, NIR, UV/VIS, Auto- tritator) are fit for purpose and traceably calibrated.

• Act as the ultimate point of escalation for complex analytical troubleshooting and equipment failure.

• Ensure appropriate environmental controls and laboratory conditions are maintained to prevent invalidation of results.

3.  Team Management & Competency

• Assess, authorize, and continuously monitor the technical competence of all laboratory analysts and technicians.

• Design and execute comprehensive training matrices for analytical staff in accordance with ISO 17025 personnel requirements.

• Conduct performance evaluations and mentor junior chemists, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and quality consciousness.

• Authorize personnel to perform specific laboratory activities, including method development, use of specific equipment, and the review/release of test reports.

 Qualifications & Education Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline (Master’s degree or Ph.D. is highly preferred).

• Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years of hands-on experience in an analytical testing laboratory, with at least 3 years in a senior, supervisory, or chief chemist role.

• ISO Expertise: Demonstrable, in-depth knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements. Previous experience acting as a Technical Manager/Signatory in an accredited laboratory is required.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Technical Mastery: Advanced proficiency in modern analytical techniques and instrumental analysis.

• Statistical Proficiency: Strong understanding of laboratory statistics, including method validation parameters (LOD, LOQ, precision, accuracy) and measurement uncertainty.

• Auditing: Certification as an Internal Auditor for ISO/IEC 17025 is a strong advantage.

• Leadership: Excellent decision-making capabilities, communication skills, and the ability to command technical authority respectfully.

• ProblemSolving:Highlyanalyticalmindsetwithrigorousattentiontodetailanddata integrity.