Head – Analytical Laboratory & Sampling

Head – Analytical Lab & Sampling

Role Summary

The Head – Analytical Lab & Sampling provides strategic leadership and technical governance across all analytical and sampling operations involving high-value precious metals. The role ensures the laboratory functions as a centre of excellence by maintaining global accreditations and driving innovation in sampling and assaying practices.

This role is critical to safeguarding analytical integrity, ensuring unbiased sampling, and delivering precise and reliable results that directly impact the organization's financial outcomes and global reputation.

Core Responsibilities

1. Strategic Laboratory Leadership

Define and drive laboratory strategy, KPIs, and operational excellence across analytical and sampling functions. Ensure high-quality, efficient, and scalable analytical operations aligned with business needs.

2. Sampling Governance & Integrity

Establish and implement robust, unbiased sampling methodologies (manual and mechanical) to ensure true bulk representation and eliminate sampling bias in precious metal evaluation.

3. Accreditation & Compliance Leadership

Lead and sustain global accreditations (ISO 17025, ISO 9001, LBMA, LPPM, NABL, BIS). Ensure full regulatory compliance and proactively address evolving standards and audit requirements.

4. Security & Risk Management

Ensure stringent security protocols for handling, storage, and disposal of high-value precious metal samples, preventing loss, contamination, or tampering.

5. Asset & Infrastructure Management

Oversee procurement, utilization, and lifecycle management of laboratory and sampling equipment to ensure reliability, accuracy, and operational continuity.

6. People & Capability Development

Build and lead a high-performing team by driving technical capability, succession planning, performance management, and a culture of excellence.

7. Digital & Process Transformation

Drive digitalization, automation, and integration of laboratory systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation frameworks.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Dimension

Criteria

Education

Master's Degree in Chemistry

Experience

20+ years in analytical laboratory and sampling operations, including leadership roles

Domain Expertise

Precious metals sampling and assaying; analytical lab management

Regulatory Expertise

ISO 17025, ISO 9001, LBMA, LPPM, NABL, BIS standards

Leadership Experience

Leading large, multi-layered teams and cross-functional operations

Systems Exposure

Laboratory digital systems, automation, SAP/LIMS