Chemist

Purpose of Role

To oversee and manage the overall running of the laboratory by supervising shifts, setting up workflow plans and ensuring equipment availability to drive production and output. To lead the testing and provision of technical advice to drive plant optimisation and support geology with modelling and analysis with regards to material feed and the testing of sourced material.

Role Context

Operational Management

• Provide input to strategic plans of the section by compiling comprehensive operational plans, converting the Department into an enabler of the overall business strategy of the organisation.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant guidelines and other legislation, to make recommendations where policies, processes and/or procedures require amendment.
• Develop, enhance and implement policies, processes and Operational procedures that are within the respective Department aimed at the enhancement of service delivery and overall productivity within the Department.
• Lead the development of testing methods by conducting various chemical analyses and tests to evaluate quality and composition of mined materials.
• Drive process optimisation by providing accurate testing of material and providing advice and support related to external and internal plants including smelters, Manganese as well as Research & Development initiatives.
• Lead the day-to-day running of the lab by overseeing processes and systems that have been put in place to measure quality such as the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) system for checks and balances per shift.
• Manage the testing and monitoring of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) to ensure required quality and standards are maintained prior to submission of material and samples.
• Oversee the auto-titration process to ensure the accurate checking of concentration of chrome as well as metal content and foreign material.
• Manage the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis process to determine gold, metal, chrome and platinum contents by understanding the calibration and setup of the instrumentation in order to run, analyse and interpret results prior to the disposal of tails.
• Oversee and lead the planning for the layout and installation of equipment and fixtures in alignment to set job specifications and relevant standards.
• Manage the preparation of samples by ensuring technicians follow established procedures including dilution, extraction and distillation to ensure sample turnaround time targets are met in line with ISO 17025 quality standards.

Financial Management

• Analyse all relevant Department data and report on Departmental trends and operating requirements so as to determine funding requirements for the financial year.
• Monitor short-term Departmental budgets by scrutinising and aligning spend within the Department, to support and drive effective and efficient functioning within budgetary constraints.
• Monitor Departmental expenditure against budget allocations, requesting appropriate reallocation as required, to manage the prevention of unnecessary spend.
• Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM) and other Tharisa Minerals (TM) regulations and policies by facilitating the right actions, to reduce financial risk in the Department.

People Management

• Create and maintain a conducive work environment by appropriately applying Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance is realised for the benefit of the Department and, by extension, the organisation.
• Lead the team according to TM’s leadership principles and values throughout the entire employee life cycle (performance management, reward etc) to ensure, inter alia, a high-performance culture.
• Manage the workforce planning in area of accountability to ensure optimum availability and allocation of resources for all shifts to maximise and maintain efficiency and productivity.
• Apply planned task observation (PTO) process by checking and assessing the work done by individuals on a regular basis to ensure competence and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Implement and manage the continuous assessment of subordinates and recommend training intervention to ensure competence and compliance to TM’s SHE Policies and Procedures.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure information, advice or opinions on relevant matters is made available and/or communicated with all relevant stakeholders, to manage expectations and timelines.
• Utilise opportunities presented to enhance the relationship between management, unions and employees, and implement processes to maximise a collaborative working relationship.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the plants including researchers, engineers, geologists and technicians to create an efficient workflow and operation to support the mine/plant to achieve its objectives.
• Liaise with Geologists as well as process engineers to interpret test results and provide recommendations and insights on mining processes, quality control and potential improvements.

Data analysis and Reporting

• Prepare and maintain accurate and detailed technical reports by recording experimental procedures, data and results to present and communicate findings to manager, colleagues and clients.
• Oversee the execution of chemical analyses including qualitative and quantitative analyses and employ titration techniques to accurately record and interpret experimental data and observations.

Risk, Safety and Compliance

• Manage and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures and safety protocols by continuously monitoring and training subordinates to maintain a safe working environment.
• Manage and embed safety guidelines and protocols to ensure the safe handling of chemicals, laboratory equipment and hazardous substances as well as the proper disposal of waste material to minimise risk.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and recommend routine maintenance intervals to ensure all equipment is safe to use and complies with safety standards.
• Oversee method validation, calibration and quality assurance activities by conducting quality control tests to ensure integrity and accuracy of laboratory results and compliance to industry standards and regulations.
• Manage equipment handling by putting in place control measure to ensure equipment handed back to the operation is in a safe and operable condition.

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (NQF4)
• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF7) in Chemistry or equivalent

Certifications:

• SANAS (Technical Secretary)

Job-specific experience:

• 8 Years experience in Laboratory of which at least 3 Years Supervisory
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools : MS Power BI

Inherent requirements

Must be medically fit

Closing Date: 23 July 2026

Please note that, in line with our Employment Equity requirements, preference will be given to designated positions.