About This Role
This role oversees, manages, and guarantees the chemical and physical integrity of all products within a limestone manufacturing facility. The position spans the entire production cycle, from inspecting incoming raw limestone to rigorously testing calcined quicklime and final client deliveries. As the department head, you will manage daily laboratory operations, ensure strict adherence to safety standards, and collaborate closely with operations management to maintain optimal production quality.
Responsibilities
- Inspect, sample, and evaluate all incoming raw limestone against established company standards and geological specifications before it enters the production line
- Monitor and analyze the quality of burnt lime (quicklime) immediately after it is calcined and discharged from the kilns to ensure proper burning efficiency
- Perform precise chemical analysis on limestone and lime samples, specifically testing for:
- Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) and Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3) content
- Impurities such as Silica (SiO2) and Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)
- Moisture content and chemical reactivity rates
- Conduct physical property testing, including detailed sieve/particle size distribution analysis
- Calibrate, standardize, and maintain all laboratory apparatus, instruments, and testing machines to guarantee analytical accuracy
- Prepare and standardize chemical reagents and standard solutions required for daily quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Monitor the consumption of laboratory chemicals, glassware, and consumables, ensuring that all operational necessities are sufficiently stocked without downtime
- Coordinate directly with the Production Manager regarding real-time product quality trends, kiln performance, and daily delivery schedules
- Review pre-shipment analysis reports to ensure that all final product deliveries strictly match or exceed client-specific technical data sheets and contract specifications
- Systematically maintain, organize, and archive all quality control reports, certificate of analysis (COA) documents, and daily testing logs for traceability
- Manage the daily operations of the laboratory, including scheduling and workflow optimization
- Maintain exceptional housekeeping standards (5S) and strictly enforce safety protocols within the laboratory environment at all times
- Perform any other technical or administrative tasks assigned by higher management to support plant objectives
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, or a closely related scientific discipline
- Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in a laboratory setting, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or leadership role, ideally within a cement, lime, mining, or heavy mineral manufacturing plant
- Proficient in wet chemistry, titration, and instrumental analysis (XRF/XRD experience is a major plus)
- Deep understanding of limestone geology, calcination chemistry, and the physical properties of industrial minerals
- Hands-on experience with muffle furnaces, analytical balances, titration setups, and automated sieving machines
- Strong proficiency in MS Excel/Office and LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) for data tracking
- Proven ability to manage a technical team, diffuse workplace stress, and foster a safety-first mindset
- Precision-oriented mindset where a fraction of a percentage variance in chemical composition matters
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively translate complex chemical data into actionable feedback for the production floor
Nice to have:
- Active professional license/registration (e.g., Registered Chemist or Chemical Engineer)
Important Details
About the Company
This role is for a limestone manufacturing facility.