Associate Manager, Laboratory

Role Purpose:

To support bulk production and customer sampling requirement through the effective management and coordination of all Laboratory operations and processes (i.e. LRM Coordination, colour matching, sample preparation, simplex & mini simplex operations) with a view to ensuring efficient servicing of all LRM request types, ensuring high quality matches and recipes are produced and submitted within agreed service lead times and to Coats technical standards. 

Principal Accountabilities and Key Activities:

Ensure best practice in operation and continuous improvement of the KPI’s

• Develop and maintain all laboratory SOPs and ensure all laboratory operations fully comply with SOPs.
• Streamline laboratory operations by constantly monitoring work practices, work flows and processes and take remedial action to streamline operations as necessary.
• Continually drive productivity and efficiency improvement in all facets of laboratory operations (as measured by all key performance indicators such as Atlas strike rate, Atlas library cops usage, LpMpD, attempts per shade, lab to bulk reproducibility, LRM utilisation) through careful review and analysis of these performance indicators.

Training and development of the Lab team. 

• Ensure laboratory staff achieve and maintain a high level of technical capability through the provision of on-going training, technical support and performance assessment and feedback.
• Coordinate and deliver all cross-training within the team to provide greater flexibility in the allocation of resources and to deliver productivity improvements.
• Train, coach and mentor subordinates with a view to making recommendations for succession plans at plant level

Monitor, analyse and reporting

• Monitor, analyse and report on lab to bulk reproducibility and work with bulk dyehouse team to ensure that the highest levels of lab to bulk reproducibility are maintained
• Monitor and report daily and monthly on matching performance relating to Colour Atlas

Ensure adherence to Coats global Health and Safety policies & other compliances

• Achieve and sustain a high level of safety awareness and compliance among all laboratory staff by constantly monitoring compliance with Lab Health and Safety SOP and machinery operation SOPs, and taking steps to eliminate all risk factors and potential hazards.

Provide technical support and information. 

• Manage sales team expectations through timely and effective liaison and feedback relating to queries on DTM and Sample Order requests.
• Communicate effectively on colour development issues with other Coats units, as necessary.
• In conjunction with Quality Department, receive and investigate all customer shade complaints and recommend/take corrective action as appropriate.

Optimal resourcing and maximum utilisation. 

• Ensure optimal allocation of trained resources within the laboratory to achieve service lead times and KPI targets.
• Ensure optimal resourcing and utilisation of all LRM functionality in order to effectively manage the laboratory workload and to ensure that all samples are produced within shade tolerance and within service lead times.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

(Include skills and competencies required to perform the role competently)

• B.Sc. Engineering in any discipline/B.Sc( Hons), M.Sc in Chemistry/Physics or equivalent degree from reputed university. 
• Minimum 8+ years of relevant working experience in manufacturing & production. 
• Exposure to change management processes & expertise to handle large group of people
• Previous experience of textile colouration advantageous 
• Strong interpersonal / Leadership skills with good analytical ability

Skills & Abilities

• Time management skills
• Train-the trainer capability
• Excellent communication skills, proficient in English
• High level of attention to details
• Good colour vision (Score <16) as measured by Mansell 100 hue colour vision test
• Results oriented
• Highly developed analytical skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools