Laboratory Supervisor - Geochemistry / Mineral Laboratory

About the role

SGS, a global testing, inspection and certification company, is hiring a Laboratory Supervisor for its geochemistry and mineral laboratory in Jeddah. The supervisor oversees daily operations across Sample Preparation, Fire Assay and Wet Chemistry/Instrumental sections, coordinates laboratory personnel, manages workflows and provides technical guidance so that results are accurate, operations efficient and delivery timely, in line with SGS standards and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily activities across Sample Preparation, Fire Assay and Wet Chemistry/Instrumental sections, allocating workload, personnel and resources to meet production targets and customer turnaround times.
• Provide hands-on technical support to Chemists, Technicians and other staff, focusing on Wet Chemistry operations such as sample digestion, solution and reagent preparation and dilutions.
• Monitor workflow, escalate technical or production issues to the Senior Chemist or Assistant Laboratory Manager, and support the training and competency development of laboratory personnel.
• Ensure analytical methods, approved procedures and work instructions are followed, and support the operation and troubleshooting of instruments such as AAS, ICP, UV and XRF.
• Ensure equipment checks, calibration/verification and maintenance are completed and documented, and that reagents, standards and reference materials are correctly prepared, labelled, stored and controlled.
• Monitor analytical results and quality-control data, and record, investigate and follow up QC deviations and non-conformities.
• Maintain the laboratory Quality Management System in line with ISO/IEC 17025, keep accurate records and documents, and follow SGS QHSE requirements, including PPE use and housekeeping.
• Report incidents and unsafe conditions, participate in audits and continuous improvement, and monitor stock of reagents and consumables.
• Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for sample tracking, workflow management and result entry, and communicate with the Senior Chemist and laboratory management.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry, Metallurgy or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a mineral, geochemistry or analytical laboratory.
• Practical experience in Sample Preparation, Fire Assay and Wet Chemistry, and hands-on experience with sample digestion, reagent preparation and dilutions.
• Experience operating analytical instruments such as AAS, ICP, UV and XRF, and using LIMS.
• Previous experience supervising or coordinating laboratory personnel is preferred.

Required skills

• Knowledge of laboratory workflows, analytical techniques, quality-control procedures and ISO/IEC 17025.
• Ability to troubleshoot laboratory instruments and understand calibration, maintenance and documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Good written and spoken English, and strong organisational, supervisory and problem-solving skills.