Laboratory Manager

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. 

The focus of the job description and responsibilities presented below is to outline all of the Laboratory Manager’s operational responsibilities for SGS Canada’s Oil, Gas and Chemicals (OGC) business line. The Laboratory Manager shall be directly responsible for one or more SGS work groups in various sites, in addition to other duties assigned by the Regional Manager. The overall purpose is to ensure the Laboratory Manager works closely with coordinators and technicians so that all operations under his/her leadership perform at optimum levels in terms of workplace safety, environment and quality. Each work site shall provide added value to the Company’s business activities by achieving specific financial results and strategic value. The list of responsibilities and expectations regarding the different areas of focus is found below.

Overall operational efficiency

• Safety
  • Understand, communicate, and meet workplace health, safety and environment (HSE) objectives set out by SGS.
  • Ensure systems, processes and behaviours are in place to achieve expected HSE performance levels.
  • Carry out monthly HSE audits along with coordinators and lab personnel, identify gaps and track actions closure.
  • Manage regular safety group meetings and ensure actions closure/progress.
  • Ensure Behaviour Based Safety program is deployed and utilized daily among coordinators and lab personnel: Behavior Based Observations (BBOs – coordinators to lab personnel and lab personnel to lab personnel, i.e. peer to peer), Field Level Risk Assessments (FLRAs), Check Status, Near Miss recording, Hazards/Risk and Unsafe Acts/Conditions identification, and other BBS tools.
  • Lead investigations and root cause analysis with support of coordinators and lab personnel following unplanned events (safety or operational incidents, near misses, customer claims).
  • Develops with the coordinators a Lessons Learned following an incident or a significant near miss.
  • Meet monthly objectives set out in Balanced Scorecard (BSC).
• Operations
  • Understand, communicate, and meet operational performance objectives and ensure they are well understood.
  • Provide support to the coordinators and lab personnel for performance and operation issues.
  • Work closely with the coordinators/lab personnel to identify improvements and participate in their implementation.
  • Develop appropriate work schedules.
  • Review and approve timesheets.
  • Coordinate external analysis.
  • Establish and maintain a preventive maintenance plan for laboratory equipment and monitor performance and repairs.
  • Ensure laboratory personnel monitor and maintain established analytical methods.
  • Understand and support LIMS/G6 system in place. Integrate new systems as required.
  • Prepare and support internal SGS operating procedures.
  • Champion various Continuous Improvements projects (5S, Kaizens, Process improvements, Waste Reduction projects, …) and actively participate as required.
  • Ensure OGC Core audits are carried out and entered (Laboratory File Reviews, Site Audit – HSE, Site Audit – Laboratory Operations, Site Audit – Sample Storage & Management) on a monthly and yearly basis, as required.
  • Meet monthly objectives set out in Balanced Scorecard (BSC).
• Quality
  • Ensure laboratory personnel monitor and maintain the SGS quality system in place (ISO).
  • Periodically review operation files and key quality data such as controls and calibrations.
  • Enter information and assist in the development of efficient corrective actions or deficiency log data.
  • Prepare and monitor internal management of change (MOC).
  • Monitor and enter data into SGS monitoring systems (such as Lab Excellence KPI).
  • Ensure training provided is consistent with SGS and clients’ best practices including document review and employee participation in the qualification process.
  • Work in accordance to the highest ethical standards and SGS’s Code of Integrity.
  • Meet monthly objectives set out in Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

Leadership Recognition

• Provide technical and interpersonal advice to coordinators and technicians.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and mid-year reviews of coordinators and lab personnel.
• Work closely with coordinators and technicians to identify high performers and future leaders and create an individual development plan (IDP) for these candidates.
• Ensure exceptional performances are recognized and participate in employee recognition events.
• Correct errors, work on improvement plans and manage internal discipline when applicable.
• Motivate coordinators and lab personnel in achieving objectives properly and safely in collaboration with each other and other sites as required.
• Communicate regularly to entire team through weekly and monthly staff meetings including subjects linked to Safety (Incidents, Lessons Learned, Tech Talks, Safe Talks, Audit findings, …), Quality (Audit findings, Training status, Change Management, …), Operations (new Processes, ASTM updates, Improvements, 5S & Housekeeping, Continuous Improvement Projects, …)

Business Issues

• Understand and apply current contracts for major clients.
• Participate in the management and resolution of claims for damages to minimize impacts.
• Identify high risk activities or situations to avoid where SGS may have to take on some responsibility (injury, contamination, reputation).
• Develop winning solutions that maximize the value of services rendered to clients while contributing to SGS’ success.
• Recognize and act appropriately with regards to situations that take into account the protection of the short-term financial impact compared to the long term negative positioning the Company could have with a client.
• Minimize operational costs while ensuring the quality of services rendered expected by clients.
• Support and coordinate shipping or transportation of dangerous goods (chemicals).
• Review laboratory needs and equipment replacement.

Client Relations  

• Know the key clients and the different hierarchy levels of the organisation.
• Communicate with client contacts to assess their levels of satisfaction.

New Business Development

• Participate in the development of new business opportunities with existing clients’ management teams.
• Know and promote other SGS services to existing clients.

• Provide support to business development efforts with new clients in the following ways:
  •   Identify potential clients through industry contacts.
  •   Participate in sales calls and preparatory meetings.
  •   Conduct a visit of a potential client’s facility and participate in the scoping of projects and project proposals.
  •   Support information requests.

Organizational Support

• Provide support and contribute to his/her peers and management team.

•   Participate in the management team’s meetings.
•   Share information/best practices/lessons learned.
•   Seek advice and collaboration when faced with challenging questions or issues.

• Work closely with Human Resources and Operational Integrity groups.

•   Recruitment/hiring/disciplinary action.
•   Collaborate during intensive training sessions that deal with safety issues and other key safety training sessions.

• Communicate and implement Company policy changes efficiently.

•   Actively support business efforts between SGS sites (best practices, training, leadership development, resources).
•   Identify, evaluate, develop, coach and promote the talents of the organization based on merit.
•   Respect the highest standards of ethics, in compliance with the Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct of SGS. 

• Participate, support and contribute to technical committees related to business activities (for example CAN-CGSB, ASTM, others).

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in Chemistry is required
• Member of a professional Chemist Order an asset.
• Knowledge in analytical chemistry and laboratory operations. 

Experience: minimum 5 years of management experience in the Oil, Gas and Chemicals industry, or in a related industry.

Specific technical skills:

• Ability to motivate teams to meet specific goals.
• Ability to coordinate several activities at once.
• Ability to establish and implement pragmatic action plans from current strategies. 
• Must be able to read, understand and follow work instructions in a safe, accurate and timely manner.
• Candidates should be proficient in using various type of computer software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly professional environment.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills including grammar and composition (English and French).
• Ability to work well with others & independently.
• Proven time management skills and a strong attention to detail.
• Works well under pressure.
• Ability to coordinate and motivate teams working towards a common goal.
• Ability to act quickly and decisively, in addition to making difficult decisions.
• Takes ownership of objectives and holds himself/herself accountable for his/her actions and others accountable for their actions.
• Demands and shares success.
• Extended hours may be required from time to time.
• Travel to other SGS locations may be required from time to time.
• Ensures full compliance with the company’s Health & Safety, Code of Integrity, and Professional Conduct policies.

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and Indigenous status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Accommodations are available on request for qualified candidates during each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that candidates applying for Canadian job openings should be authorized to work in Canada.