Vusimuzi Erick Gwebu
Assistant Chemist
Elukwatini,Mpumalanga
Summary
Accomplished laboratory professional with over 13 years of experience in chrome ore and concentrate production in accredited laboratories, along with three years in metal smelting laboratories.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Assistant Chemist
PCL Laboratories
RUSTENBURG
12.2022 - Current
- Managing laboratory operations and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
- Developing and validating analytical methods and ensured adherence to ISO standards.
- Overseeing laboratory operations in compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
- Optimizing and calibrating analytical instruments to ensure operational efficiency.
- Providing technical training and mentorship to laboratory staff.
- Conducted internal and external audits and prepared monthly technical reports.
- Compiled and reviewed working procedures and other laboratory documents.
- Analysis, evaluation, and reporting of Qotho Round Robin results.
- Attending Round Robin Scheme meetings.
- Responsible for sample preparation.
- Training laboratory employees on procedures, documents, and analytical instruments.
- Monitor attendance and authorize leaves and overtime.
- Schedule calibration and service of analytical instruments and ensured schedule adherence.
- Handled non-conformances and conducted root-cause analysis.
- Operated, maintained, calibrated, and troubleshooted analytical instruments.
- Evaluating, validating, and reporting analytical results.
- Prepared calibration standards and verified chemical testing equipment.
- Evaluated Round Robin reports and all Laboratory Quality Control KPIs.
- Prepared and presented monthly quality reports.
Laboratory Practitioner
Samancor Chrome Tubatse Alloys
Burgersford
02.2020 - 05.2021
- Overseeing laboratory operations in compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
- Optimized and calibrated analytical instruments to ensure operational efficiency.
- Developed and validated analytical methods.
- Provided technical training and mentorship to laboratory staff.
- Conducted internal audits and coordinated external audits with other Samancor laboratories, with monthly technical reporting.
- Compiled and reviewed working procedures and other laboratory documents.
- Analyzed, evaluated, and reported Qotho Round Robin results.
- Attended Round Robin Scheme meetings.
- Responsible for sampling and sample preparation.
- Trained laboratory employees on procedures, documents, and analytical instruments.
- Monitored attendance and authorized leaves and overtime (with SAP).
- Monitored the flow of samples up to reporting analytical results through LIMS.
- Scheduled calibration and service of analytical instruments and ensured adherence to schedule.
- Handled non-conformances and conducted root-cause analysis.
- Operated, maintained, calibrated, and troubleshooting of analytical instruments.
- Evaluated, validated, and reported analytical results.
- Prepared calibration standards and verified chemical testing equipment.
- Evaluated Round Robin reports and all Laboratory Quality Control KPIs.
- Prepared and presented monthly quality reports.
Laboratory Supervisor/Technical Signatory
PCL Laboratories
Steelpoort
06.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed laboratory operations and ensured compliance with quality and safety standards.
- Developed and validated analytical methods and ensured adherence to ISO standards.
- Oversaw laboratory operations in compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
- Optimized and calibrated analytical instruments to ensure operational efficiency.
- Provided technical training and mentorship to laboratory staff.
- Conducted internal and external audits and monthly technical reporting.
- Compiled and reviewed working procedures and other laboratory documents.
- Analyzed, evaluated, and reported Qotho Round Robin results.
- Attended Round Robin Scheme meetings.
- Responsible for sample preparation.
- Monitored attendance and authorized leaves and overtime.
- Scheduled calibration and service of analytical instruments and ensured adherence to schedule.
- Handled non-conformances and conducted root-cause analysis.
- Operated, maintained, calibrated, and troubleshooted analytical instruments.
- Evaluated, validated, and reported analytical results.
- Prepared calibration standards and verified chemical testing equipment.
- Evaluated Round Robin reports and all Laboratory Quality Control KPIs.
- Prepared and presented monthly quality reports.
- Developed strong working relationships with other departments, ensuring seamless integration of laboratory services within the larger organizational ecosystem.
- Prioritized work assigned, maintained accurate records of work performed and initiated corrective action in case of defective records or inadequate care plans.
- Facilitated troubleshooting efforts during unexpected challenges or crises while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, ensuring timely delivery of supplies and cost-effective procurement practices.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new technologies.
- Improved staff competency through continuous training programs and performance evaluations.
Technical Chemist / Technical Signatory
Nkomati Mine
Nelspruit
02.2008 - 04.2016
- Managed laboratory operations and ensured compliance with quality and safety standards.
- Ensured full complement of the team and availability of laboratory instruments and consumables.
- Monitored the flow of samples up to reporting analytical results through LIMS.
- Developed, adopted, and validated analytical methods.
- Provided training on LIMS, procedures, documents, and analytical instruments.
- Compiled laboratory procedures and documents; reviewed working procedures and laboratory documents according to the laboratory schedule.
- Identified new skills, developments, and training needs with regard to technology.
- Scheduled calibration and service of analytical instruments and ensured adherence.
- Handled non-conformances and conducted root-cause analysis.
- Operated, maintained, calibrated, and troubleshooted analytical instruments.
- Evaluated, validated, and reported analytical results as Technical Signatory.
- Conducted supplier evaluations.
- Performed internal audits.
- Enhanced safety awareness throughout the working area.
- Ensured the working area and equipment were clean, safe, and in good working condition.
- Ensured compliance with safety standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- PPE worn during shifts and safety rules observed.
- Declared the working place safe.
- Provided monthly technical reports to Laboratory Management.
Education
BSc - Chemistry
University of Limpopo
Polokwane01.2007
Grade 12 - undefined
Mkolishi High School
Elukwatini01.2003
Skills
MS Word
MS PowerPoint
MS Excel
MS Outlook
Highly motivated
Results-oriented
Certification
Analytical Method Validation
References
- Tshwarelo, Ramathapha, Laboratory Chemist/Supervisor, 079 085 3835, 013 010 1118, PCL Laboratories, Steelpoort
- Koki, Dlamini, Head Office QA/QC Specialist, 082 356 6583, Samancor Chrome, Limpopo
- Abe, Montshosi, Laboratory Superintendent, 082 851 2081, Nkomati Mine, Mpumalanga
Core Competencies
- Laboratory Management
- Extensive experience overseeing laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with operating procedures, safety standards, and quality protocols, and maintaining high equipment availability.
- Budgeting, cost control, and presentation of monthly cost reports.
- Analytical Techniques
- Proficient with various analytical instruments and methods.
- ICP-OES (720, 725, 735), SPECTRO, Titroplus 877 auto titrator, LECO TGA 801, AAS 240, Tiptronic dispenser, Turbidity Meter, pH Meter, LECO wrist shaker, ELTRA, UV-Vis, ICP 5100, and XRF.
- Malvern for particle size analysis, and various titration methods.
- Skilled in analytical method development and validation.
- End user of LIMS and MES to evaluate and validate analytical results, and to prepare Analysis Certificates and report results.
- Laboratory Processes
- Compiling and reviewing laboratory work processes and procedures; daily calibration, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of various analytical instruments.
- Committed to achieving high instrument availability and high-quality results within turnaround times.
- Appointed and approved by SANAS base ISO/IEC 17025 Technical Signatory in two laboratories during career.
- Quality Control
- Strong foundation in quality assurance practices, continuous improvement, and adherence to ISO standards.
- Handling of test items, calibration standards, and quality control standards.
- Handling customer complaints and non-conformances.
- Documentation & Scheduling
- Preparation of schedule reports and trending charts for quality control and quality assurance, populated by MES and/or LIMS.
- Scheduling of calibration and maintenance of analytical instruments to ensure adherence.
- Handling customer complaints and non-conformances and conducting internal audits as per laboratory schedule.
- Compiling laboratory procedures and documents; reviewing working procedures and laboratory documents according to the laboratory schedule.
- Scheduling calibration and service of analytical instruments and ensuring adherence through MES as per ISO 17025.
- Evaluating, validating, and reporting Qotho Round Robin results.
- Preparation of monthly Quality Reports.
- Team Leadership
- Proven ability to mentor and lead laboratory staff, facilitating training and professional development.
- Skill identification, training needs identification, technical support, and coaching.
- Problem Solving
- Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills; proactive in identifying and resolving technical issues.
- Root cause analysis for non-conforming work.
Personal Attributes
- Attributes
- Highly motivated and results-oriented with strong communication and teamwork abilities.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Key Achievements
- Technical Team Leader
- Successfully commissioned a new Nkomati Mine laboratory and analytical instruments.
- Led preparation for SANAS accreditation, achieving ISO 17025 accreditation in December 2014.
- Appointed as a Technical Signatory at Nkomati Mine Laboratory and approved by SANAS in December 2014.
- Developed and validated analytical methods tailored to client and organizational requirements.
- Implemented Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to enhance operational efficiency.
- Appointed as a Technical Signatory at PCL Laboratory, Steelpoort, and approved by SANAS in October 2018.
Timeline
Assistant Chemist
PCL Laboratories
12.2022 - Current
Laboratory Practitioner
Samancor Chrome Tubatse Alloys
02.2020 - 05.2021
Laboratory Supervisor/Technical Signatory
PCL Laboratories
06.2018 - 02.2019
Technical Chemist / Technical Signatory
Nkomati Mine
02.2008 - 04.2016
Grade 12 - undefined
Mkolishi High School
BSc - Chemistry
University of Limpopo