_{29th July, 2025}

Main Purpose
The Shift Team Leader - Instrumentation is responsible for supervising a team of laboratory technicians and ensuring the efficient operation of analytical instruments (such as AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, or XRF) during their shift. Their main objective is to deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality analytical results while maintaining equipment performance, safety, and compliance with quality standards (e.g. ISO 17025).
Compliance

• Practice and adherence to the ALS Health and Safety Foundation Standards
• Refer to Annexure for that outlines the procedure that applies to all ALS sites and activities. It outlines the requirements associated with ALS's management structure and organisation as they relate to safety, occupational health, and environmental protection.
• This procedure addresses the areas of appointments, accountability, and individual responsibilities.
• Practice and adherence to the ALS company core values
• Abide by the ALS company policies and procedures.
• Always follow all ALS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

 
Duties
ICP/AAS/MS/XRF/LECO

• Overall responsible for the shift team's HSE, QC, and HR compliance during shift
• Organize workload according to daily stats and turnaround time demands
• Follow up on priority work orders
• Ensure all documentation related to maintenance, calibration and training are always up to date and available during shift schedule
• Perform pre-shift checks and post-shift checks and act on any non-conformances where required
• Overall responsible for maintenance of minimum stock levels during shift
• Able to do QC and turnaround time investigations when required
• Overall responsible for the shift's work schedules, timesheets, and maintenance of the company's disciplinary code within the shift team
• In conjunction with the Instrumentation Manager, propose for improvements in routine and non-routine procedures and assist with the validation of new methods timeously.
• Maintain up to date communication with the Instrumentation Manager on issues that may involve the shift team, production or any other matter relating to the team's performance and operation. Assist to resolve these timeously
• Responsible for run approvals.
• Submit QC Charts to QC monthly
• Responsible for the discarding of racks after approval
• Familiarize with workorder approvals within the Instrumentation section in reasonable and due time. A thorough understanding of these tasks is critical and must be acquired within reasonable time.
• Assist to continuously improve TAT and estimation of results reporting (ETA)
• In conjunction with the Instrumentation Manager, assist with repair and maintenance scheduling of all equipment in the section.
• Assist with the ordering of consumables and other related Instrumentation supplies by alerting the Instrumentation manager of low stock levels.
• May be required to perform backup managerial duties in the absence of the Instrumentation Manager.
• Trained and competent in most instrumentation techniques i.e. ICP, AAS, MS, XRF, and Leco
• Provide technical support and training to T1, and other staff employed in the section from time to time
• Accurately organize and prioritize analysis of samples through appropriate tracking and traceability protocols
• Regularly follow up on departmental aging statistics and liase with section head / production coordinator regarding planning and scheduling.
• Supervise, organize and train new technicians and laboratory operators
• Recording of instrument performance, maintenance of lab equipment and problems encountered in maintenance logbook
• Ensure all data and rush orders and priority work are reviewed, approved and released to client in timely manner.
• Keep track of turnaround on GEMS and liase with section head / production coordinator regarding appropriate course taken to address backlogged scenarios.
• Use QC charts on GEMS to solve basic QC problems
• Perform all other reasonable duties as determined by the line management.
• Assist in clearing of Non-Conformances
• Finalize and approve data with assistance and initiate re-runs or reweighs
• Follow direction in analysing non routine methods by applying sound analytical logic.
• Retrieve CRM data from Gems and compile QC charts
• Function in the capacity of shift team leader if so required.
• Familiarize with company policies, protocols, Instrumentation work procedures
• Responsible for appropriate housekeeping and proper handling of samples and related consumables and equipment.
• Follow all HSE protocols of the Instrumentation section and the laboratory as a whole
• Familiarize and understand the basic principles of instrumental techniques in due / reasonable time i.e. ICP, AAS, MS, XRF, and Leco
• Must be able to run routine and non-routine analysis on the instruments on which the employee is trained
• Operate and perform first line, preventative and breakdown maintenance, basic trouble shooting on instruments and auto-sampler
• Completely familiarize with GEMS functionality for batching of instrument runs.
• Must be able to prepare and test calibration standards for instrumentation using solution techniques
• Prepare sample dilutions, instrument solutions plus QC solutions, i.e. rinses/IEC/QC
• Ensure appropriate sample tracking of prepared and available samples in the section. Able to scan runs to correct locations
• Timeously identify and correct instrument QC related problems, ensuring quality data throughput from the instruments against set production targets
• Maintain consistent production targets on all instrumentation. (per shift)
• PGMs                       = 600 samples/ICP 
• Base Metals         = 480 samples/ICP
• Au                             = 600 samples / AAS
• Base Metals         = 500 Samples/AAS
• Base Metals         = 350 Samples/ICPMS
• Leco (C & S)         = 250 Samples
• Borate fusions    = 600 Samples/XRF
• Must be fully conversant with data approval at Technician data approval stage (Tech Approval)
• Retrieve and dump racks properly with appropriate tracking and traceability of instrument / digestion runs
• Exercise flexibility with assisting in other lab departments with appropriate training provided
• Perform any other duties deemed fit by the supervisor and with appropriate training provided

Qualifications

• National Diploma or BTech/BSc in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related science field
• 3-5+ years of hands-on lab experience with analytical instruments (e.g. ICP-OES, AAS, XRF)
• 1-2 years in a supervisory or senior technician role
• Strong knowledge of instrument calibration, operation, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance (especially ICP, XRF, AAS)
• Basic computer literacy (Excel, LIMS, instrument software)
• Familiarity with ISO 17025, QA/QC protocols, and data integrity practices
• Training in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or audit readiness
• First Aid, SHEQ awareness, or Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
• Manufacturer or vendor-specific training on ICP, XRF, or AAS systems
• Able to lead and motivate a team during high-pressure, shift-based work
• Ensures data accuracy and instrument reliability
• Quick resolution of equipment faults and analytical issues
• Clear reporting, shift handovers, and team coordination
• Prioritizing tasks, managing throughput, meeting deadlines

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