Production Lab and Glaze Manager

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the Production Laboratory and Glaze Preparation sections by ensuring consistent quality, process efficiency, and production innovation through raw material testing, glaze formulation, process optimization, and team development to meet production targets and quality standards.

• Supervise lab activities including raw material analysis, chemical testing, and quality issue correction advice.
• Develop and implement testing protocols for new materials and formulations.
• Maintain calibration and upkeep of lab equipment.

• Manage glaze formulation, mixing, and application processes.
• Collaborate with R&D and design teams to develop new glaze effects and finishes.
• Monitor glaze performance during production and troubleshoot issues.
• Ensure accurate documentation of glazing recipes and process parameters.

• Monitor shade variation and take corrective action when deviations are identified.
• Obtain approval from the R&D Manager for product changes and adjustments before commercial production start‑up.
• Communicate required information to related departments from body preparation to kiln regarding developed bodies, glazes, and pilot run production.
• Ensure specified parameters are communicated, included, and maintained in the concerned departments.
• Control pigments and raw materials related to glazes and regularly check related inventory.

• Analyze production data to identify areas for improvement.
• Support trials and pilot runs for new products and processes.
• Control pigments and raw materials related to glazes and regularly check related inventory.

• Prepare regular reports on lab results, glaze performance, and production KPIs.
• Maintain accurate records of tests, formulations, and process changes.
• Participate in audits and contribute to quality assurance documentation.

• Ability to recruit, recognize and cultivate high performers and expose them in order to create a robust second line of management.
• Ability to recognize low performers and guide them to improve or release them.
• Ability to treat subordinates equally without any discrimination.
• Assessment criteria of subordinates is performance that leads to planned results.
• Ensure availability of delegation of authority matrix to have sufficient delegations as per company policy.

• Must take full responsibility for his operation as per the job description and the required deliverables from this position, taking into consideration the general company guidelines.
• Able to anticipate problems and make the necessary proactive steps to prevent them.
• Ability to take necessary and proper timely decisions.

• Deliver the required results in timely manner with required quality and cost.
• Must make a tangible difference to his area of operation and exceed business expectations.

• Able to transform the corporate goals into business plans.
• Able to plan, follow‑up and execute those plans, whether they are annual or development plans.
• Monitor the plan performance and initiate action to strengthen results and take the corrective action accordingly.
• Provide periodic work progress reports.
• Responsible for monitoring and controlling budgets and expenses to achieve the optimum cost efficiency.

• Develop the organizational structure according to the current requirements taking into consideration future and development plans.
• Ensure availability of job descriptions for all job roles and deployment.

• Develop, coordinate well‑defined written systems, policies, procedures, and seek automations opportunities as much as possible.
• Should be conversant and able to navigate through IT solutions especially those relevant to his job and business.
• Promote the automated systems and using them fully, to spread its culture.

• Quality is considered as alfanar’s prime competitive advantage as such, managers are expected to act accordingly.

• Adapt to new and alternative techniques, technologies, management structures, and business models.

• Ensure a safe, secure, and legal work environment as per the standard regulations.

Bachelor Degree in Ceramic Engineering or any relevant field. Work experience 4 to 6 years. Technical / Functional

Competencies:

Safety awareness and compliance reporting, product development.