Technical Lead: Automotive - East London at South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Purpose Statement

To provide supervision and ensure that the overall operational plans and processes for the Laboratory within the SABS is implemented for both in-house and outsourced work and priorities

Minimum Requirements    

• National Diploma / Diploma in relevant scientific discipline (NQF Level 6)
• 5 years relevant work experience in a relevant scientific field 
• 2 years supervisory experience

Duties and Responsibilities

Functional Management

• Implement the laboratory-specific operational plan within the Laboratory Services division.
• Monitor and continuously evaluate progress of the laboratory’s achievements against the operational objectives.
• Ensure the implementation and utilisation of all laboratory information management systems.
• Supervise operations effectively to deliver services within timelines and prescribed quality through effective resource management (human and infrastructure).
• Implement laboratory processes and schedules to deliver quality services efficiently.
• Drive an operational plan for the laboratory in line with the overall divisional operational strategy.
• Ensure the drive of continuous improvement of testing activities.
• Use insights gained through business information to compile reports, and metrics to measure success and inform the business decisions within area of responsibility.
• Provide timely operational information that will guide management to drive operational efficiency.
• Oversee and supervise the Laboratory within the cluster.
• Implement operational plans, workflows, agreements, policies and processes within the laboratory.
• Ensure proper laboratory records management.
• Participate in new Laboratory technology trends within South African organisations involved in innovation, research and development and commercialization, through attendance of conferences, seminars and training.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Ensure the mitigation of the laboratory’s risks through the application of fraud controls and risk prevention principles and implementing of sound governance and compliance processes and tools to identify and manage risks.
• Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of quality risk management in line with the requirements from ISO and SANAS.
• 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.
• Oversee the maintenance and enforcement of related Service Level Agreements, policies and ISO standards to minimise business risk and ensure business continuity.
• Ensure adherence in the team to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

Financial Management 

• Provide OPEX input in the planning and compilation of the annual budget aligned to the tactical delivery plans to support the implementation of set objectives.
• Ensure the effective implementation, monitoring of the Laboratory’s OPEX budget, and mitigate and report on any variances.
• Ensure the deployment of proper OPEX financial controls to manage the Laboratory budget.

People Management 

• Proactively supervise all direct reports in order to ensure that the strategic objectives for the division is met.
• Maintain excellent human capital performance through employee empowerment, skills development and retention and succession planning within the team.
• Maintain an environment where employees respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all processes, procedures and practices.
• Supervise and lead the laboratory by providing clarity of vision; prioritising resources; facilitating alignment of the team; setting high expectations; inspiring commitment; encouraging mutual support; and enabling development opportunities.
• Contribute to diversity management initiatives.
• Implement a learning culture within scope of control.

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.
• Attend meetings and present performance and business related information to relevant stakeholders when required.
• Actively liaise and build relationships with SABS clients and service providers so as to ensure that the service standards are met appropriately.
• Effectively supervise customer complaints through timeous resolution and/or escalation as required.
• Align stakeholder activities within the laboratory to ensure engagements are well coordinated.
• Analyze queries and develop mechanisms to proactively resolve common issues and share lessons learned across the division.
• Ensure the documentation of all stakeholder engagements to ensure continuity for future engagements.
• Take ownership of technical queries (internal/external) for the laboratory and ensure effective resolution before deadlines.