Laboratory Quality Specialist

Location: Onshore Operations, Doha, Qatar

Department: Operations Support

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Job Purpose

The Laboratory Quality Specialist is responsible for establishing, coordinating, and administering laboratory quality assurance activities, ensuring the laboratory meets ISO 17025 accreditation standards. This role ensures accurate, reliable, and dependable results by adhering to industry best practices and regulatory guidelines, while driving continuous improvement efforts across laboratory processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Management System (QMS) Implementation: Develop, implement, and maintain the laboratory's quality management system in compliance with ISO 17025. Ensure all laboratory procedures follow the latest industry standards and international reference procedures.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the laboratory complies with relevant industry standards and regulations (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.). Stay updated on regulatory changes and implement necessary modifications.
3. Staff Training & Support: Advise and guide laboratory staff on ISO 17025 standards, quality policies, and procedures. Promote quality awareness and continuous improvement.
4. Document Control & Non-Conformance Management: Establish and maintain document control systems. Investigate non-conformities, customer complaints, and deviations, and ensure corrective actions are taken.
5. Inter-departmental Collaboration: Communicate effectively across departments to ensure proper implementation of the quality management system in laboratory activities.
6. Equipment and Facility Compliance: Ensure laboratory equipment and facilities meet analysis and international standards. Maintain traceability for all records in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
7. Management Review: Lead the annual laboratory management review to assess the effectiveness of the laboratory quality management system (LQMS) and propose improvements.
8. Internal Audits & External Assessments: Plan and conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with ISO 17025. Oversee external assessments, proficiency testing programs, and competency assessments.
9. Accreditation & Certification Maintenance: Prepare and coordinate external audits for accreditation bodies. Ensure the laboratory retains ISO 17025 accreditation and works towards maintaining and renewing it.
10. Proficiency Testing & Risk Management: Manage the laboratory proficiency testing program, ensuring consistent high standards. Conduct risk assessments to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks related to laboratory operations.

Person Specification - Minimum Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related science discipline.

Experience:

• 8 years of experience in an oil and gas laboratory, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience in evaluating quality control procedures, laboratory assessments, and test result validation.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 17025, including the implementation and maintenance of the standard in a laboratory setting.
• Certified ISO 17025 Auditor.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Strong computer literacy, including database, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Solid understanding of statistics and data analysis.
• Ability to apply analytical, interpretative, and evaluative thinking to assess laboratory processes.

Behavioural Competencies:

• SHE Understanding: In-depth understanding of safety, health, and environmental practices.
• Work Quality & Efficiency: Ability to meet high-quality standards while maintaining efficiency.
• Ethics and Integrity: High ethical standards and integrity in all work activities.
• Planning & Organising: Effective planning and organisation skills to manage multiple tasks.
• Trust & Empowerment: Ability to work independently and empower others.
• Teamwork & Support: Collaborative and supportive team player.
• Problem Solving: Excellent problem-solving skills to resolve issues effectively.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified and experienced Laboratory Quality Specialist to play a pivotal role in maintaining high-quality standards in the laboratory environment. If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about quality management, we encourage you to apply.