Department: QC / Laboratory / R&D
Reports To: QA/QC Manager / Technical Manager
Main Purpose of the Position
- To perform laboratory testing, quality control, product development, formulation trials, and technical evaluation of construction admixtures and cement grinding aids, ensuring that raw materials and finished products consistently meet company specifications and required performance standards.
Raw Material Testing
- Inspect and test incoming raw materials according to approved specifications.
- Check physical and chemical properties of raw materials used for admixture and grinding-aid production.
- Approve or reject raw materials based on test results and company specifications.
- Maintain complete records of raw-material testing.
- Evaluate new raw materials and alternative suppliers.
- Report any abnormal or out-of-specification raw material to the QA/QC Manager.
Construction Admixture Quality Control
- Test finished admixture products according to approved specifications and SOPs.
- Perform tests such as appearance, density/specific gravity, pH, solids content, viscosity, and other applicable parameters.
- Conduct concrete/mortar performance tests where required.
- Check admixture dosage and its effect on concrete performance.
- Evaluate workability/slump, slump retention, setting time, water reduction, and compressive strength as applicable to each product.
- Check batch-to-batch consistency.
- Release finished products only after required QC tests are completed and approved.
Cement Grinding Aid Testing
- Conduct laboratory evaluation of cement grinding-aid products.
- Test different grinding-aid formulations and dosages.
- Evaluate the effect of grinding aid on cement grinding performance.
- Monitor cement properties such as fineness, setting time, strength development, and other applicable parameters.
- Conduct comparative trials against existing products or competitor/reference products when required.
- Maintain records of grinding-aid trials and test results.
- Assist the technical team in optimizing grinding-aid dosage and formulation.
Product Development & R&D
- Assist in development of new construction admixture and cement grinding-aid formulations.
- Conduct laboratory-scale formulation trials.
- Optimize formulations for performance, stability, and cost.
- Evaluate new chemicals and raw materials for potential use.
- Maintain formulation and trial records.
- Conduct stability and compatibility studies where required.
- Support scale-up from laboratory trial to production batch.
- Keep formulation information confidential.
Production Quality Control
- Collect samples from production batches according to approved sampling procedures.
- Perform in-process and final-product testing.
- Communicate laboratory results to the Production and QA/QC teams.
- Identify quality deviations during production.
- Assist in investigating the causes of quality problems.
- Recommend corrective action based on laboratory findings.
- Monitor consistency between laboratory trial batches and production batches.
Concrete & Mortar Testing
- Prepare concrete/mortar test mixes according to approved mix designs.
- Conduct admixture dosage optimization.
- Evaluate slump and slump retention.
- Monitor setting time where applicable.
- Prepare specimens for compressive-strength testing.
- Compare performance at different admixture dosages and formulations.
- Maintain proper sample identification and testing records.
- Assist during customer/site trials when required.
Cement Testing
- Conduct laboratory cement testing related to grinding-aid performance.
- Prepare cement samples for laboratory evaluation.
- Test relevant cement properties according to approved methods.
- Compare cement performance with and without grinding aid.
- Maintain accurate records of cement and grinding-aid trials.
- Assist in troubleshooting cement-performance issues.
Laboratory Management
- Maintain laboratory cleanliness and proper housekeeping.
- Maintain laboratory equipment in good working condition.
- Check calibration status of laboratory instruments.
- Arrange calibration and maintenance when required.
- Maintain chemicals, reagents, consumables, and laboratory equipment inventory.
- Ensure proper labeling and storage of chemicals and samples.
- Maintain retain samples as required.
- Ensure proper disposal of chemical and laboratory waste.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain daily laboratory test records.
- Prepare raw-material and finished-product test reports.
- Prepare Certificates of Analysis (COA) where applicable.
- Maintain batch-wise QC records.
- Maintain R&D formulation and trial records.
- Prepare laboratory trial reports and comparative test reports.
- Immediately report abnormal or out-of-specification results to management.
- Maintain proper traceability of samples and test results.
Customer Technical Support
- Assist in investigating customer complaints related to product performance.
- Analyze customer samples where required.
- Support technical/customer service teams during field trials.
- Assist with admixture dosage recommendations based on laboratory results.
- Participate in customer cement/grinding-aid trials when required.
- Prepare technical test reports for customer trials.
Safety Responsibilities
- Follow laboratory safety procedures and company HSE requirements.
- Use appropriate PPE when handling chemicals.
- Handle, store, and dispose of chemicals safely.
- Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS) where required.
- Immediately report laboratory accidents, chemical spills, or unsafe conditions.
- Ensure laboratory activities are conducted in a safe and controlled manner.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- The Lab Chemist will be evaluated based on:
- Accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results.
- Timely completion of QC testing.
- Consistency of finished-product quality.
- Successful formulation and R&D trials.
- Reduction of production quality problems.
- Effectiveness of technical troubleshooting.
- Accuracy and completeness of laboratory documentation.
- Proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
- Successful support of customer/site trials.
- Compliance with laboratory safety and company SOPs.
