Senior Chemist

Role Summary

This is a senior, plant-based role responsible for running and managing the entire plant laboratory, including building and leading a team of chemists/technicians and ensuring accurate, reliable, and timely chemical analysis to support production, process control, and quality assurance.

Mandatory: The candidate must have prior experience as a chemist in a ferro alloys plant only. Experience from any other industry is not acceptable.

Key Responsibilities

A. Lab Management & Team Leadership

• Act as overall in-charge of the plant laboratory, reporting to Quality Head / Plant Head.
• Build, train, and supervise a team of chemists and lab technicians; prepare duty rosters for round-the-clock operations where required.
• Establish, implement, and continuously improve SOPs for sampling, testing, recording, reporting, and retention of samples for raw materials, process samples, and finished products.
• Set clear turnaround times (TAT) for critical tests and ensure timely delivery of results to production and quality teams.
• Ensure discipline, confidentiality of results, and strong housekeeping (5S) inside the lab.
• Drive a culture of safety and compliance within the laboratory (PPE usage, safe handling practices, incident reporting).

B. Chemical Testing & Quality Control

• Oversee and, where necessary, perform chemical analysis of:

• Raw materials: manganese ores (various grades), coke, coal, quartz, fluxes, and other inputs used in ferro alloy production.

• Process / intermediate samples: tap samples, slag samples, and other in-process samples as per plant control plans.

• Finished products: ferro alloys such as SiMn / FeMn / FeSi / FeCr (as applicable), as per customer and internal specifications.

• Ensure tests are conducted using standardised methods (wet chemistry and instrumental methods such as spectrometric analysis, carbonsulphur analysis, and other relevant techniques), as applicable to the plant.

• Ensure accuracy, repeatability, traceability, and proper sample identification at every stage (from sampling to reporting).
• Maintain instrument calibration routines and logs; ensure working standards and reference materials are used appropriately.
• Monitor and enforce test frequency and sampling plans aligned with production schedules, dispatch plans, and quality requirements.

C. Coordination with Production & Quality

• Coordinate closely with Production to ensure tap/process samples are collected correctly, tested on time, and results are communicated immediately for operational decisions.
• Provide timely feedback to production for process control actions (e.g., adjustments in charge mix, basicity, tapping control, and general furnace/process parameters), based on lab outcomes.
• Support quality improvement initiatives through trend analysis, control charts, and data-driven suggestions.
• Ensure finished product chemistry meets customer and specification requirements; support investigations and corrective actions for off-spec material.
• Assist in customer complaint investigations by analysing retain samples, reviewing records, and preparing technical summaries.

D. Lab Systems, Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain complete and accurate records of all tests, calibrations, reference standards, and lab activities in both physical registers and digital formats.
• Develop and maintain standard test methods, internal quality controls, and checks such as duplicate samples, control samples, and inter-lab verification where relevant.
• Prepare periodic reports for management: daily/weekly/monthly lab performance, quality trends, non-conformities, and action status.
• Support compliance with relevant standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 or other applicable quality/environment/safety systems).
• Ensure data integrity, proper approvals, and audit readiness for internal/external assessments.

E. Lab Maintenance & Safety

• Oversee maintenance, upkeep, and performance of lab equipment and instruments; coordinate AMC, service visits, and repairs with vendors.
• Ensure availability, proper storage, and controlled usage of reagents, consumables, glassware, reference standards, and lab spares.
• Implement and monitor lab safety protocols: chemical handling, labelling, segregation, safe storage, waste disposal, and emergency response procedures.
• Conduct/supervise safety training and refreshers for lab staff and ensure compliance with PPE and safety guidelines at all times.
• Maintain MSDS/SDS availability and ensure safe disposal practices for chemical waste and broken glassware.

Required Experience (Non-Negotiable)

Experience (Mandatory)

• 5–8+ years of laboratory/quality control experience specifically in a ferro alloys plant.
• Candidates must have worked only in the ferro alloys industry (SiMn/FeMn/FeSi/FeCr). Experience from other sectors (steel, cement, mining, chemicals, etc.) will not be considered for this role.

Education

• B.Sc / M.Sc in Chemistry (preferred) or related science fields.
• Additional qualifications in quality systems, analytical techniques, or safety are an advantage.

Domain Knowledge (Must-have)

• Strong understanding of ferro alloys chemistry, raw materials behaviour, quality parameters, and process control requirements.
• Hands-on exposure to industrial lab equipment and analytical methods commonly used in ferro alloys plants.
• Working knowledge of sampling practices for ores, coke/coal, process samples, slag, and finished alloy samples.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; commitment to accuracy, reliability, and traceability of lab results.
• Experience in leading a lab team and managing shift-based operations where required.
• Familiarity with MS Excel and basic lab/quality software; ability to prepare clear reports and trend summaries.
• Strong coordination and communication skills to work effectively with production, quality, dispatch, and plant management.
• Working knowledge of lab safety, chemical handling, and housekeeping standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot analytical issues (instrument drift, repeatability problems, sample preparation errors) and guide the team in corrective actions.