Specialist: Data And Technical Support - Laboratory Services (Re-advert) at South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Purpose Statement

• To provide expert-level innovative solutions towards integrating Laboratory Services Division departments,/laboratories and, to develop and maintain support processes and procedures within the Division. In addition, implement systems and reporting processes providing appropriate Management Information to ensure effective and accurate decision-making.

Minimum Requirements    
Qualifications

• Grdae 12
• Diploma + Advanced Diploma / B Degree in Natural Science, Engineering and or related field (NQF Level 7). 

Work Experiance

• 8 years relevant work experience in business improvement or a related environment
• 4 years specialist experience
• Proven track record in the development and implementation of business improvement/ integration methodologies and protocol
• Experience in Conformity Assessment will be advantageous. 

Duties and Responsibilities    
Functional Management

• Conduct feasibility studies on available laboratory data mining information to enable decision making in the Laboratory Services environment.
• Design and implement suitable data mining mechanisms and processes to collate and integrate data from the various laboratories in SABS.
• Provide appropriate and accurate data mining information for management consideration supporting decision making in Laboratory Services.
• Assist in the development of systems specifications and project scoping as part of the laboratory improvement initiatives, in collaboration with other SABS divisions.
• Conduct testing of suitable solutions and tools in collaboration with other SABS divisions to ensure optimal functionality and integration as required.
• Provide recommendations for laboratory operational improvements, product rationalisation and new product development.
• Collaborate with ICT to develop solutions relevant to data collection and knowledge management systems.
• Collaborate with the Programme Management Office during the initiation and implementation of laboratory process improvement projects.
• Identify processes and procedures which could be automated using data mining tools and provide advocacy on available solutions for consideration.
• Provide recommendations for digital transformation of all relevant laboratory services records.
• Provide input and identify opportunities for automation within laboratory services.
• Management of all centralised divisional projects, e.g. calibration, subcontracting, training, customer complaints resolution, etc.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Assist in identifying and adhering to fraud controls, risk prevention principles, sound governance and compliance processes, and tools to identify and manage risks.
• Monitor changes in the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements.
• Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit requirements.
• Adhere to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that LSD systems adhered to company policies and standards.

Stakeholder Management 

• Identify and mitigate internal systems and procedural barriers to enhance excellent customer service.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships for the purpose of expectations management, knowledge sharing and integration, and to manage the organisation’s reputation.
• Represent and participate in the organisation’s committees and tasks teams when required.
• Convene and attend meetings and present findings and business cases to relevant stakeholders when required.
• Provide technical support on projects when required.
• Actively liaise and build relationships with SABS clients and service providers to ensure that the service standards are met appropriately.
• Effectively manage customer complaints through timeous resolution and/or escalation as required.
• Analyze queries and develop mechanisms to proactively resolve common issues and share lessons learned.