Sithembile Sidumisile Mkhwanazi
Manager: Chemistry
Vanderbijlpark
Summary
Dynamic chemist and accomplished manager with a strong passion for all facets of chemistry, particularly in water science. Expertise in laboratory operations, especially water analysis, facilitates the successful execution of projects from conception to completion. Demonstrated effective communication skills, both written and verbal, complemented by robust analytical abilities and proficiency in statistical analysis. A commitment to excellence is reflected through meticulous attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and exceptional planning and organizational capabilities.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager: Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
03.2014 - Current
- Company Overview: Provision of Water Quality Services
- Managing and leading resources and people to ensure smooth efficient running of the laboratory.
- Managing and operating the laboratory within the scope of the ISO 17025.
- Ensuring data integrity through quality control and assurance procedures.
- Drawing of specification of technical analytical equipment’s for tender procurement processes
- Directly manage and oversee laboratory staff regarding staffing needs, communication, employee training, professional growth, and employee behavior.
- Involvement in stakeholder relations and support to ensure account retention including customer communication, supplier communication and monitoring supplier contracts and renewals.
- Ensuring optimal condition of equipment in the laboratory; including instrument calibrations and preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repairing of instruments, equipment maintenance contract renewals and housekeeping.
- Developing, implementing, and maintaining of quality management system requirements
- Co-ordinating the implementation of corrective actions for all non-conformances identified during the audits
- Development of new analytical methods, validation and verification of laboratory methods including, Reviewing and updating Analytical Methods
- Authorising and inspecting quality assurance measures on analytical results produced by analysts in LIMS system.
- Drafting, reviewing and updating of systems, processes and standard operation procedures.
- Coordinating Proficiency testing and inter-laboratory participation, reviewing proficiency/inter- laboratory results and investigate measurement results failing to meet minimum acceptance criteria.
- Ensure continuous functionality of the infrastructure and equipment in the laboratory.
- Establishing and implementing a training plan for personnel.
- Developing and coordinating performance plans for personnel in line with performance management system.
- Ensuring the attainment of deadlines and completion of chemical analysis within established standards; and maintain turnaround time on reporting as per customer requirements.
- Oversee the development of project plans including implementation of new scope of analysis and manage accordingly to deliver all defined work components.
- Responsible for procurement of chemicals, consumables, and laboratory instruments.
- Involved in evaluation of tenders for instrument procurement.
Acting Senior Laboratory Technician-Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
04.2013 - 02.2014
- Company Overview: Provision of Water Quality Services
- Liaising with Supplier’s concerning orders and calibration of instrument.
- Writing, Reviewing and updating Analytical Methods
- Troubleshooting of Instruments and proper maintenance of Instruments/Equipment’s
- Planning and controlling equipment maintenance schedule.
- Reviewing Quality Control Charts and ensuring Quality Assurance of Results
- Ensuring participation in inter-laboratory studies including reviewing Proficiency testing /inter-laboratory results
- Development and Validation of new and existing methods
- Stock Management and ordering of Chemicals and Consumables
- Training new and junior Staff
Laboratory Technician-Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
07.2011 - 04.2013
- Company Overview: Provision of Water Quality Services
- Accurate Preparation of Reagents, Calibration and Quality Control Standards
- Assisting with Method Development and Method Validation
- Troubleshooting of Instruments and proper maintenance of Instruments/Equipments
- Performing Testing on Water samples for Chemistry
- Drawing up quality control charts
- Entering results into LIMS
- Generating Analytical Test Reports for Customers
- Reviewing Quality System documents, writing some procedures and generating forms
- Training Junior Staff
- Safety Representative and First Aider
Intern -Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
01.2010 - 06.2011
- Company Overview: Provision of Water Quality Services
- Preparation of Calibration and Quality Control Standards
- Performing Testing on Water samples for Chemistry and Microbiology
- Drawing up quality control charts
- Generating Analytical Test Reports for Customers
- Safety Representative and First Aider
- Reviewing Quality System documents, writing some procedures and generating forms
- Instruments used: Operation of basic to advanced laboratory equipment which includes: Ion Chromatography, Auto-titrator, TOC analyzer, Turbidity Meter, pH Meter, Conductivity meter, UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, COD analyzer, Discreet Analyser, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, ICP-OES and HPLC.
Education
Programme in Business Management -
North West University
01.2017
Total Quality Management - undefined
University of South Africa
01.2014
Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours (BSc) - Hons-Applied Chemistry
University of Witwatersrand
01.2009
Bachelor of Science Degree - Chemistry
University of Witwatersrand
01.2008
High School - undefined
Ngotshe Secondary School
01.2001
Skills
Multilingual communication: Fluent in English, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, and Sotho
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Non-profit organization secretary
SACNASP professional affiliation
Technical training expertise
ISO 17025:2017 laboratory course
Statistical method evaluation
Measurement uncertainty analysis
Effective team leadership
Operational efficiency management
Effective strategic planning
Analytical decision-making
References
Victoria, Tshabalala, Head of Scientific Services, VictoriaT@gsibande.gov.za, +27 (0) 17 801 7144, +27 (0) 82 469 9003, GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
Accomplishments
- Recognized for consistently getting things done and exceeding performance expectations and promoted to chemistry manger position.
- Led and achieved the SANAS ISO 17025 accreditation for GSDM Water Quality Laboratory for the first time.
- Obtained Certificate of First Class for Ancillary Mathematics and Statistics I at Wits University.
Timeline
Manager: Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
03.2014 - Current
Acting Senior Laboratory Technician-Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
04.2013 - 02.2014
Laboratory Technician-Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
07.2011 - 04.2013
Intern -Chemistry
GSDM Water Quality Laboratory
01.2010 - 06.2011
Total Quality Management - undefined
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours (BSc) - Hons-Applied Chemistry
University of Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Science Degree - Chemistry
University of Witwatersrand
High School - undefined
Ngotshe Secondary School
Programme in Business Management -
North West University