Laboratory Manager

Job Description

Main Accountabilities:

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading and managing all MAGMA laboratory operations at the BeAAT and NORM Plants, ensuring accurate characterization and analysis of hazardous and radiological waste in full compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. The role oversees laboratory staff, analytical performance, and quality systems while ensuring safe and reliable laboratory operations.

The Laboratory Manager plays a critical role in supporting operational decision-making through timely, high-quality analytical data, enabling effective waste reception, acceptance, segregation, routing, treatment, and disposal. This includes contributing to the optimization of treatment processes and development of feed and blending recipes for incineration and TDU units based on waste characteristics and available waste streams.

Acting as a key interface between laboratory, platform operations, waste reception, operations, HSE, and commercial teams, the role ensures strong cross-departmental coordination and alignment. The Laboratory Manager drives optimization, innovation, and R&D initiatives to improve laboratory efficiency, platform integration, treatment performance, cost effectiveness, and sustainable hazardous waste management solutions.

Detailed Job Description:

1. Laboratory Operations Management:

   • Lead and manage daily laboratory operations across the BeAAT and NORM Plants, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable testing and characterization of hazardous and radiological waste to support waste acceptance, segregation, treatment, and disposal decisions.

   • Plan, organize, and control laboratory activities, including sampling coordination, test scheduling, workload distribution, and prioritization of analyses based on operational needs and regulatory timelines.

   • Perform and supervise pre-acceptance testing and waste characterization to support the sales and commercial teams during waste pre-acceptance, quotation preparation, and selection of appropriate treatment lines.

   • Provide laboratory input to define suitable treatment pathways based on waste characteristics and regulatory constraints.

   • Develop, implement, and continuously improve laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety guidelines in compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.

   • Ensure laboratory equipment, analytical instruments, and monitoring systems are properly maintained, calibrated, and validated, with full traceability of calibration, maintenance, and performance records.

   • Oversee the execution of routine, non-routine, and investigational analyses, ensuring data integrity, repeatability, and technical validity of test results.

   • Manage laboratory performance indicators (turnaround time, quality metrics, non-conformances), identify gaps, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve efficiency and reliability.

   • Ensure effective coordination between laboratory teams and operational stakeholders to provide timely analytical results that support waste reception, platform segregation, treatment optimization, and process stability.

   • Maintain readiness for audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews by ensuring laboratory operations are fully documented, controlled, and compliant at all times.

   • Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the laboratory, ensuring safe handling of hazardous and radiological materials and adherence to best laboratory practices.

2. Operational Interface & Cross-Departmental Coordination

   • Coordinate closely with the waste reception team for both bulk and packaged waste, ensuring proper sampling, testing, and waste acceptance decisions.

   • Act as the key laboratory interface with with reception team for Salesforce, HAZMAT to support waste acceptance, classification, and routing.

   • Manage the laboratory–platform, ensuring effective coordination with the segregation platform team and reception/unloading teams to support safe and compliant waste handling.

   • Provide timely analytical feedback to operations through routine analysis of samples from various processes and activities, supporting treatment decisions, waste routing, and process optimization.

   • Propose and optimize waste blending/feeding recipes for incineration and TDU operations based on available waste streams and their key characteristics (e.g., calorific value, sulfur content, moisture, ash, halogens), ensuring stable operation, compliance, and cost-effective treatment.

   • Ensure smooth communication and alignment between laboratory, operations, HSE, and commercial teams.

3. Staff Supervision and Training:

   • Manage and supervise laboratory staff, ensuring they are properly trained and follow all safety protocols.

   • Schedule and delegate tasks to laboratory staff, ensuring optimal use of resources and timely completion of testing requirements.

   • Provide ongoing training and professional development to laboratory personnel, keeping them up to date with the latest industry standards and safety practices.

4. Quality Control and Assurance:

   • Implement and monitor quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results.

   • Conduct regular audits and inspections of laboratory operations to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.

   • Troubleshoot and resolve any issues related to test results, equipment, or procedures to maintain high standards of laboratory performance.

5. Safety and Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations in laboratory activities, especially when handling hazardous materials.

6. Ensure that laboratory operations are fully compliant with local, national, and international safety and environmental regulations.

7. Lead efforts in maintaining a safe working environment and ensuring that laboratory staff are aware of and follow all safety procedures.

8. Develop, review, and validate Waste Material Data Sheets (WMDS) to ensure accurate waste characterization, regulatory compliance, safe handling, and appropriate treatment selection.

9. Data Management and Reporting:

   • Oversee the accurate recording and documentation of test results and laboratory activities.

   • Generate and submit regular reports on laboratory performance, including test results, equipment status, and any issues encountered.

   • Collaborate with other departments to provide laboratory data and analysis to support decision-making processes.

10. Laboratory Budget and Inventory Management:

    • Develop and manage the laboratory budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and compliance with financial guidelines.

    • Monitor inventory levels of laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment, ensuring adequate stock is maintained for uninterrupted laboratory operations.

    • Procure laboratory supplies and equipment, ensuring that they meet required specifications and quality standards.

11. Research and Development:

    • Lead and support the Green-Up strategy by identifying opportunities for recycling, recovery, and valorization of hazardous waste streams.

    • Drive the transformation from disposal to recycling and waste-to-resource solutions, supporting circular economy objectives.

    • Establish and manage collaborations with universities and research institutions to develop practical and scalable waste treatment solutions.

    • Coordinate and contribute to projects under the Innovation Center, linking laboratory expertise with operational trials and industrial implementation.

    • Develop and validate recycling, co-processing, and valorization pathways through laboratory testing, pilot studies, and performance assessment.

    • Translate innovation initiatives into measurable environmental benefits, operational efficiency, and cost savings.

12. Collaboration and Communication:

    • Coordinate with other departments, such as operations, safety, and quality control, to ensure laboratory results are integrated into broader operational and compliance efforts.

    • Communicate effectively with senior management regarding laboratory performance, issues, and improvements.

    • Participate in meetings and provide insights to optimize hazardous waste management operations.

Qualifications

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in laboratory management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within an industrial or hazardous waste management environment.

  • Proven experience in handling and testing hazardous materials and complying with safety and environmental regulations.

• Certifications:

  • Relevant certifications in laboratory management or hazardous waste handling (e.g., ISO certifications, environmental health and safety certifications) are a plus.

  • HSE certifications.

• Skills:

  • Strong knowledge of laboratory testing methods, equipment, and safety protocols, especially in relation to hazardous materials.

  • Excellent leadership, organizational, and management skills.

  • In-depth understanding of local environmental regulations and quality assurance standards.

  • Ability to troubleshoot laboratory equipment and procedures effectively.

  • Strong data management skills.

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communicate with senior management.

Additional Information

Work Conditions:

• Based in Ruwais, UAE.

• Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals; adherence to strict safety protocols is essential.

• The role may require occasional extended hours or shift work, depending on laboratory needs.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete or exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that will be carried out by the selected candidate.

Veolia Middle East does not and shall not discriminate in any forms in its recruitment processes.