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Role Purpose
The Gas Chromatography Specialist will serve as a Subject Matter Expert and people manager for SGS Malaysia’s MBL-LB laboratory operations, with focus on Gas Chromatography (GC) capability for food, consumer products and related chemical testing. The role is responsible for building internal capability, establishing standards, procedures and methodologies, supporting ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and licensing requirements, improving productivity and quality, and strengthening customer confidence in laboratory testing services.
Business Context
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Act as SGS Malaysia’s technical specialist for Gas Chromatography instrumentation and related analytical testing in food, consumer products and chemical laboratory services.
• Train internal laboratory teams and build capability in GC operation, sample preparation, method setup, calibration, troubleshooting, result interpretation and technical reporting.
• Establish, review and improve standards, procedures, test methods, work instructions, calibration practices, quality control checks and laboratory methodologies.
• Support ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, certification and licensing requirements by ensuring technical competence, method validation / verification, traceability, records and quality documentation are maintained.
• Drive improvement in laboratory productivity, turnaround time, data accuracy, repeatability, safety and cost efficiency while maintaining compliance and technical integrity.
• Provide technical leadership for method development, method transfer, problem solving, instrument performance monitoring and analytical issue resolution.
• Lead and develop people through coaching, performance feedback, skills assessment, workload planning and competency development.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
• Oversee GC-related laboratory activities, including instrument readiness, method execution, calibration, quality control, result review, data integrity and report accuracy.
• Develop, review and standardise GC test methods, SOPs, validation / verification protocols, uncertainty estimation, quality control plans and corrective action processes in line with ISO/IEC 17025 expectations.
• Perform or review troubleshooting of GC instruments, columns, detectors, sample preparation issues, chromatograms, abnormal results, calibration failures and system suitability concerns.
• Support food and consumer product testing capability by advising on analytical approach, sample matrices, method selection, detection limits, quality controls and technical interpretation.
• Lead training and competency assessment for analysts and laboratory staff to ensure consistent technical execution and audit readiness.
• Support internal and external audits, accreditation assessments, proficiency testing, method validation records, technical file maintenance and closure of non-conformities.
• Monitor laboratory performance indicators such as productivity, turnaround time, rework, instrument utilisation, quality issues, safety incidents and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations and quality teams to improve workflow, eliminate bottlenecks, reduce errors and implement practical continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical support to customer enquiries, complaint investigations, proposal input and technical discussions where GC expertise is required.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with SGS Code of Integrity, ISO/IEC 17025, applicable regulatory / customer requirements, confidentiality and professional conduct expectations.
• Adherence to SGS Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy by upholding good safety behaviour and exercising necessary standards and processes when carrying out responsibilities at all times to ensure compliance with the HSE requirements.
• Perform any other responsibilities as assigned by your reporting manager and/or Senior Management.
Qualification
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Food Science, Applied Science, Chemical Technology or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong hands-on experience with Gas Chromatography instrumentation; experience from a commercial testing laboratory is preferred.
• Experience in food and consumer product testing, chemical analysis or related laboratory services is required.
• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 quality system requirements is required.
Relevant Experience
• Proven experience operating, maintaining or troubleshooting GC or GC-MS systems, including calibration, method execution, data review and quality control.
• Experience leading laboratory staff, managing direct reports, training analysts, building competencies and improving operational performance.
• Experience supporting accreditation, method validation / verification, audits, proficiency testing and technical documentation in a laboratory environment.
• Able and willing to travel up to 15% of the time for customer discussions, training, audit / assessment support or business requirements.