Senior Lab Technician

at  Heineken International BV

Key Performance Areas:
Manage:
Manage Team Performance and Safety:

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• Ensures compliance of the laboratory according to 17 rules of Heineken Laboratory Star system (LSS).
• Deputy for both the technical and quality management in the case of an absence.
• Conduct laboratory audits as outlined by LSS. Ensure audits carried out by others comply with LSS.

Manage Assets

• Apply 5S principles.
• Maintain analytical testing equipment and facilities to comply with Heineken standards.
• Ensure calibration schedules are kept to schedule.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory best practices.

Process Improvement:

Implement Improvements

• Provide expertise to TPM, PQ improvement teams.
• Trend and analyze quality results to identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Eliminate waste.
• Work with brewing and packaging team leaders, and operators to improve process control.
• Execute specific improvement projects.
• Participate in formal problem solving, provide technical expertise and laboratory skills.
• Conduct quality audits per schedule
• Apply and maintain 5S Principles
• To ensure the delivery of on time, accurate analysis results in order to deliver high quality products in trade.

Technical Management of Lab:

Manage Technical Aspect of Laboratory

• Implements, maintenance and improves the laboratory management system and/or the procedures for performing tests and /or calibration.
• Quality assurance of test & calibration: 1st, 2nd, 3rd line control.
• Assure non-standard methods/modified methods, self-developed methods, new equipment/instruments are validated/ verified prior to use.

Safety, Health and Environment:

• Ensure the department operates within company SHE standards and OHS Act, through continued education and training and obtaining the co-operation and commitment of all staff to observe all safety rules, procedures and processes in order to drive zero accident mentality.

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive improvement processes and set priorities in order to develop, implement and maintain best in class standards and basic conditions.

Quality Assurance:

Ensures consistent and accurate laboratory analysis.

• Ensure accurate laboratory analysis techniques in compliance with Heineken laboratory standards.
• Maintain laboratory analysis testing to conform to sampling plan.
• Ensure timely laboratory analysis and reporting to ensure no delays to production.
• Maintain laboratory information systems.
• Conduct laboratory audits as outlined by LSS. Ensure audits carried out by others comply with Laboratory Start System.
• Ensure CTA Laboratory achieves and maintains LSS Level 2 certification.
• Must follow and maintain requirements and procedures as laid down in the Quality system (LSS, ISO 9000, ISO 22000).
• To ensure the delivery of on time, accurate analysis results in order to deliver high quality products in trade.
• To build relationships with suppliers and internal customers that are leveraged to improve quality which will result in satisfied stakeholders.
• Implement and maintain robust quality governance systems (policies, practices, procedures) to assist brewing, packaging and utilities with the production of quality products.
• To be proactive and innovative in all areas of quality that will lead to an improved performance and quality of new products and processes

Process Improvement:

Participate in Process Improvement work in Brewing and Packaging.

• Provide expertise to TPM, PQ improvement teams.
• Trend and analyse quality results to identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Work with Brewing and packaging team leaders, and operators to improve process control.
• Execute specific improvement projects.
• Participate in formal problem solving, provide technical expertise and laboratory skills.
• Conduct quality audits per schedule.

Laboratory Maintenance:

Maintain the Analytical laboratory to a professional standard.

• Maintain analytical testing equipment and facilities to comply with Heineken standards.
• Ensure calibration schedules are kept to schedule.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory best practices.
• Maintain calibration schedules for production laboratories.
• Maintenance and Calibration of Laboratory equipment per schedule on ARMS

Staff Development:

Assist development of Brewing and Packaging Staff with respect to microbiological control and basic hygiene.

• Coach packaging and brewing staff in laboratory analysis to ensure accurate analysis is performed in production laboratories.
• Participate in brewing and packaging performance discussions with respect to analytical control.
• Participate in Formal Problem Solving, provide technical expertise and documents the process and results.
• Facilitate implementation and coaching of technical recommendations.

Safety, Health and Environment:

Ensure a safe working environment and practices within the different requirements.

• Ensure safe laboratory practices including safe chemical handling and storage.
• Identify and eliminate all unsafe, unhealthy and environmentally damaging conditions and work practices by conducting safety audits.
• Ensure compliance to ISO9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 standards.
• Promote safety awareness.
• Ensure the department operates within company SHE standards and OHS Act, through continued education and training and obtaining the co-operation and commitment of all staff to observe all safety rules, procedures and processes in order to drive zero accident mentality.

To qualify for selection and participation in this programme, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:

• South African Citizen
• Degree or Advanced Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or other related sciences
• At least 3 years experience in the brewing industry including operational roles.
• Basic computer literacy
• Sound communication and presentation skills.
• Effective time management skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to cope with inherent physical demands of the position.
• Willing and able to work extended hours.
• Reliable transport to and from place of work.

Please refer the Job description for details