Assistant / Quality and Laboratory Manager

Role overview

Cariflex PTE Ltd is seeking an Assistant / Quality and Laboratory Manager in Singapore to oversee chemical plant laboratory operations and quality management activities. The position focuses on maintaining reliable testing, strengthening compliance, and supporting continuous improvement across laboratory, production, and quality functions.

Laboratory leadership and operations

• Direct the day-to-day running of the laboratory and coordinate with other departments so raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods are tested accurately and without delay.
• Take full ownership of the chemical plant lab, ensuring efficient operations, observance of safety and environmental rules, and compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and customer requirements.
• Guide, supervise, and develop laboratory technicians, chemists, and support personnel through coaching, training, and performance reviews.
• Support the design and refinement of analytical methods and procedures to improve lab effectiveness and efficiency.
• Oversee instrument upkeep, calibration, and troubleshooting so laboratory equipment remains reliable and accurate.
• Apply quality control practices such as proficiency testing, documentation review, data verification, and statistical tools to confirm laboratory performance and result integrity.
• Manage lab budgets and resources, including purchase of supplies, equipment, and services, with attention to cost-effective operation.
• Partner with production, Global R&D, and overseas sites to provide technical support, resolve issues, and contribute to improvement initiatives.
• Promote a strong safety mindset and enforce compliance with safety procedures, assessments, and protocols.
• Prepare and present timely reports on laboratory activity, test outcomes, and KPIs to management, and oversee final product release and issuance of Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

Quality management responsibilities

• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with ISO requirements, ensuring proper implementation, document control, and alignment with business and regulatory needs.
• Work with operations, process, supply chain, commercial, and R&D teams to document investigations and close non-conformances, including internal issues, supplier matters, and customer complaints, using structured root-cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Serve as the quality contact for customers by handling complaints, quality questions, and questionnaires, and by coordinating customer quality audits from preparation through closure.
• Organize and facilitate Quality Management Review meetings and ensure follow-up on agreed actions.
• Support internal, external, and ISO certification audits by keeping the organization audit-ready, responding effectively to findings, and tracking closure of actions.
• Train team members and other stakeholders on quality procedures, best practices, quality awareness, and system improvements.
• Share results and audit outcomes with management in a timely manner.

Required background and expertise

• A bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in a chemical plant laboratory, ideally in manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Rubber, Solid, Slurry, and Gas Chromatography analytical techniques.
• Knowledge of additional methods such as spectroscopy, wet chemistry, and physical testing is an advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with the ability to manage teams, mentor staff, and encourage collaboration.
• Strong familiarity with lab safety requirements, quality systems, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and related industry practices.
• Working knowledge of SAP Quality Management and statistical tools such as Minitab is preferred.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities are required.

Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Training and development support
• Performance bonus

Additional information

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Singapore. The role carries responsibility for laboratory performance, product release support, and quality system leadership within a manufacturing environment.