Laboratory and Quality Manager – (DFLQM) at Armstrong Appointments

Main Job Function

• The Quality & Laboratory Manager is responsible for overseeing the Ink Laboratory, coordinating and prioritising laboratory requests, and ensuring that established processes, Standard Work and quality requirements are consistently followed.
• The role is responsible for process auditing, maintaining accurate and current Standard Work Instructions (SWIs), continuous training of laboratory personnel, and managing internal, customer and supplier non-conformances through structured root-cause investigation, corrective action and verified closure.
• The position ensures laboratory activities, NCRs, corrective actions, training and other relevant quality information are accurately recorded and maintained in the App, with SharePoint used for controlled documents, Standard Work Instructions and supporting quality documentation.
• The role is responsible for process auditing, ensuring Standard Work Instructions (SWIs) are complete, accurate, controlled and current, and continually training and assessing laboratory personnel against approved SWIs and Standard Work to ensure competency and consistent process compliance

Qualifications

• Matric/Grade 12 or equivalent qualification required.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Quality Management, Chemistry, Printing Technology, Chemical Engineering, Operations Management or a related technical discipline would be advantageous.

Criteria

• Formal training or demonstrated practical knowledge of ISO 9001:2015
• Quality Management Systems is required.
• Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor training would be advantageous.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ practical experience in a quality, laboratory, technical or manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, auditing and maintaining Standard Work Instructions (SWIs), procedures and controlled processes.
• Experience in conducting process audits and identifying deviations between approved Standard Work and actual working practices.
• Experience managing customer, internal and supplier non-conformances (NCRs) from initial containment through investigation, corrective action and verified closure.
• Experience performing structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using recognised problem-solving tools such as 5 Whys, Ishikawa/Fishbone Analysis, PDCA/PDSA and related quality methodologies.
• Experience developing and implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) and verifying their effectiveness before closure.
• Experience training employees against Standard Work and verifying practical competency.
• Good practical understanding of 5S, continuous improvement and process-control principles.
• Experience preparing professional customer-facing NCR, investigation and corrective-action reports.