Senior Lab Manager North America

SUMMARY

Saybolt North America (NA) consists out of 11 operational locations primarily located in the Gulf Coast area. All locations are performing analysis, but it varies from just a few key points to fully equipped laboratories. The main location is Saybolt Deer Park, TX which is the cental office. Saybolt NA reports approximately 135.000 analysis annual and offers more than 400 different test methods to the Oil, Gas and Chemicals industry. The current laboratory headcount exists out of 55 FTE.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Administer all aspect of laboratory operations to ensure maximum efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

• Ensure the company Quality Program is implemented and fully functioning. Exercise, and require lab employees to exercise, procedural, quality requirements specified in Laboratory Manual #5, and other company policies. Maintain all required quality control documents and have documents available for audit at all times.

• Supervise and monitor the calibration of laboratory instruments and verify that all chemists and technicians under the Manager’s supervision are trained and qualified to calibrate designated instruments and maintain proper calibration records.

• Ensure the company Safety Program is implemented and fully functioning. Monitor personal and staff safety training. Determine that laboratory employees pass appropriate, Right-to-Know training, hazardous materials disposal, and other safety, performance and compliance training required by the materials tested and handled, and applicable regulations.

• Coordinate the scope of the laboratory operations and ensure that samples to be tested are properly prioritized for testing; review test results and compare them with specifications or typical test results (if any). Supervise laboratory employees and ensure their compliance with acceptable work habits, safety requirements, company policies, compliance to standards and policies, accuracy of test results, attitude, attendance, time keeping, and all other aspects of their job performance. Perform “employee performance appraisal” for the laboratory staff as required.

• Read and understand all analysis, quality and safety standards in English, including ASTM, UOP, IP and other well-defined analytical standards and procedures used in the laboratory.

• Assist in or perform basic analytical tests from well-defined standards and procedures as required by operational considerations.

• Coordinate and supervise set up, and operation of all laboratory equipment, and train laboratory staff in the correct testing, in accordance with applicable standards, company policies and sound laboratory practice. Purchase (with proper approval) and maintain laboratory equipment necessary to service customer requirements at the location.

• Monitor the operation and profitability of the laboratory.

• Laboratory Managers shall promptly report to their supervisor when any lab employee does not meet company performance or behavior standards.

• Laboratory Manager training must be documented in the Laboratory Chemist/Technician Training Record book, verifying that the Manager is able to perform all required tests in accordance with applicable standards and sound laboratory practice.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with certain disabilities to perform the essential job functions when safety is not compromised. A 90-day initial review period applies to Laboratory Managers, during which time the Laboratory Manager candidate and Saybolt will assess the candidate’s suitability for the job.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in chemistry/science

• Or at least five years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret instructional and technical materials relating to technical procedures, quality management, safety; and applicable government regulations. Ability to write applicable reports and correspondence clearly. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, customers and laboratory staff.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, and quantities (linear, volumetric, or weight) and to read and interpolate applicable data and tables. Able to draw and interpret applicable graphs and control charts.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule formats.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

• Capital investments are needed, but they should be organized. Organization of our current hardware and assets needs to be upgraded. Basically, the right hardware on the right location. The right investment on the right time.

• Setting up a lean and complete training program for our dedicated group of analysts and supervisors.

• Taking part in management discussions and making strategic decisions.

• Generating outcomes that are in line with company expectations like z-score standards and high level quality output.

• Create a safe workplace that is in compliance with our Saybolt standards.

• Travel around to our locations to share best practices and generate the same (Safety) culture around all laboratory locations.

• Work with budgets, understanding the financial position of the laboratories, creating improvements on working procedures and being (financial) result driven.

• Creates a atmosphere were people can think along with the organization and share ideas(for example to improve working conditions or other positive changes).

• Has a good understanding of system knowledge and can analyze data that is being shared through our different sets of dashboards.

• Likes to work in a hectic environment where priorities can changes within a hour.

• Enjoys being challenged every now and then.

• Understand and satisfy all Company Quality Program requirements

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Highly motivated person, who is consistently looking for improvements

• Understands how to motivate a team, and to grow talent

• Team player with the ability to reach operational excellence

• Has technical understanding from running a laboratory in Oil, Gas and Chemical

• Has the ability to run multiple laboratories at the same time

• Is able to discuss and explain laboratory processes and procedures in different environments

• Has the desire to create and work in an organized structured way

• Understands financials and cost associated with running laboratories

• Is able to create commercial opportunities

• Looks forward to changing environments and changes in our industry

• Has a growth mindset

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative, but not necessarily all-inclusive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with certain disabilities to perform the essential functions when safety is not compromised.

Physical Qualifications for Laboratory Managers:

• Laboratory management and testing staff are required to meet the following physical qualifications:

• Pass the drug and alcohol test specified by for safety-sensitive employees.

• Be able to work in the presence of odors typical of petroleum or petrochemicals without allergic reactions or nausea. When such odors are within OSHA-designated permissible exposure limits (PELs).

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear; and test or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Flexibility to travel to multiple US locations up to 50% of the time.

• Employee must regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions when safety is not compromised.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The Company provides product information, training, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment in an effort to protect employees from exposure to potentially harmful levels of those materials. Employees are required to read product information, use available engineering controls, follow guidelines presented during training, and be able to wear and use appropriate protective equipment, including respiratory protective equipment, as may be required by the work environment.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Smoking and consuming food or drinks are not permitted in laboratories.