Sample Preparation Supervisor - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Sample Preparation Supervisor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lead the physical and chemical preparation of gold dore and exploration samples. This role ensures that all subsampling activities meet ISO 17025 standards and support the accurate assay results required for our refining operations. The supervisor will manage a team of technicians in a fast-paced laboratory environment, enforcing strict chain-of-custody and safety protocols.

The Sample Preparation Supervisor will report directly to the Lab Manager and will play a key role in maintaining the integrity of our analytical data from receipt to pulp delivery. This position is critical for supporting SGR's commitment to quality and transparency in the Saudi mining value chain.

Key Responsibilities

The Sample Preparation Supervisor will be responsible for the following key areas:

Sample Workflow Oversight

The role manages the daily intake, crushing, milling, and splitting of dore and core samples to ensure timely delivery to the assay lab. This involves monitoring throughput rates and adjusting shift resources to meet turnaround time targets.

Quality Assurance Compliance

This position enforces ISO 17025 standards by conducting regular duplicate checks and equipment calibration verifications. The supervisor investigates any quality deviations and implements corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Safety Protocol Enforcement

The supervisor ensures all team members adhere to Permit-to-Work and Lockout/Tagout procedures during equipment operation and maintenance. Regular safety drills and inspections are conducted to maintain a zero-harm workplace.

Equipment Maintenance Coordination

This role coordinates with the maintenance team to schedule preventive servicing for crushers and mills. It also tracks spare parts inventory to minimize downtime caused by mechanical failures.

Chain of Custody Management

The position maintains rigorous chain-of-custody records for all high-value precious metal samples entering the facility. Any discrepancies in weight or labeling are reported immediately to the Lab Manager and Security.

Team Training and Development

The supervisor develops and delivers technical training programs for new and existing sample preparation technicians. Competency assessments are conducted quarterly to ensure staff proficiency in standard operating procedures.

Inventory and Consumables Control

This role monitors stock levels of grinding media, crucibles, and other consumables required for daily operations. Requisition orders are placed in advance to prevent operational delays due to material shortages.

Reporting and Documentation

The supervisor generates daily production reports detailing sample volumes, equipment status, and safety observations. These reports are submitted to the Lab Manager to support broader operational decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Chemistry, Metallurgy, or a related technical discipline.
• At least five years of hands-on experience in sample preparation within a mining or refining laboratory.
• Proven track record of supervising shift-based technical teams in an industrial setting.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 17025 requirements for laboratory competence and quality management.
• Technical proficiency in operating and maintaining jaw crushers, ring mills, and pulverizers.
• Strong understanding of chain-of-custody principles for precious metals and hazardous materials.
• Excellent command of English for technical documentation and reporting.
• Legal authorization to work in Saudi Arabia and residency in Riyadh or willingness to relocate.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Previous experience in a LBMA-accredited gold refinery or similar precious metals facility.
• Certification in occupational health and safety such as NEBOSH or OSHA.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for digital sample tracking.
• Knowledge of fire assay processes and their dependency on high-quality sample preparation.

Success Metrics

• 98% adherence to ISO 17025 sample preparation standards during internal and external audits.
• 10% reduction in average sample preparation turnaround time within the first year.
• Zero recordable safety incidents or environmental spills in the preparation area.
• 100% accuracy in chain-of-custody documentation with no loss or misidentification of samples.
• 15% decrease in unplanned equipment downtime through effective preventive maintenance coordination.
• Successful certification of three new technicians on all standard operating procedures.
• Positive feedback from the Assay Lab regarding the consistency and quality of prepared pulps.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.