Sample Preparation Supervisor

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a mining and precious-metals company based in Saudi Arabia specializing in gold refining, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. It operates within the Kingdom's mining value chain, aligned with Vision 2030 and regulatory standards from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM). SGR produces responsibly sourced, traceable, and LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned certified bullion, emphasizing skilled personnel, stringent processes, and robust controls.

Role Overview

SGR seeks a Sample Preparation Supervisor in Riyadh to oversee the physical and chemical preparation of gold dore and exploration samples. The role ensures all subsampling adheres to ISO 17025 standards, supporting accurate assay results vital for refining operations. The supervisor will lead a team of technicians in a dynamic laboratory, ensuring compliance with chain-of-custody and safety protocols, reporting directly to the Lab Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily sample intake, crushing, milling, and splitting to guarantee timely assay lab deliveries, adjusting resources to meet targets.
• Enforce ISO 17025 compliance through duplicate checks, equipment calibration, quality issue investigations, and corrective actions.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety procedures including Permit-to-Work and Lockout/Tagout, conducting routine drills and inspections.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules with the maintenance team for crushers and mills and maintain spare parts inventory.
• Maintain rigorous chain-of-custody documentation for precious metal samples, promptly reporting discrepancies.
• Develop and implement technical training for sample preparation technicians, performing regular competency evaluations.
• Oversee inventory levels for consumables like grinding media and crucibles, ensuring timely procurement to prevent delays.
• Prepare daily reports on sample volumes, equipment status, and safety observations for management review.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Chemistry, Metallurgy, or related technical field.
• Minimum five years’ experience in sample preparation within mining or refining laboratories.
• Proven supervisory experience managing shift-based technical teams in industrial settings.
• Comprehensive knowledge of ISO 17025 laboratory standards and quality management.
• Technical expertise with jaw crushers, ring mills, and pulverizers.
• Strong understanding of precious metals chain-of-custody and hazardous material protocols.
• Fluent English essential for technical documentation and reporting.
• Legal eligibility to work in Saudi Arabia and residency in Riyadh or readiness to relocate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in LBMA-accredited gold refineries or similar precious metals facilities.
• Occupational health and safety certification (e.g., NEBOSH, OSHA).
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for sample tracking.
• Knowledge of fire assay processes reliant on superior sample preparation.

Success Metrics

• Maintain 98% compliance with ISO 17025 sample preparation standards in audits.
• Achieve a 10% reduction in sample preparation turnaround times within the first year.
• Ensure zero safety incidents or environmental spills in the preparation area.
• Maintain 100% accuracy in chain-of-custody documentation with no sample loss or misidentification.
• Reduce unplanned equipment downtime by 15% through preventive maintenance coordination.
• Certify three technicians on standard operating procedures successfully.
• Receive positive quality feedback from the Assay Lab on prepared pulps.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SGR encourages applications from qualified candidates, making employment decisions based on skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 goals.