Supervisor - Soil and Nutrients

Department: LSD Agriculture and Food Laboratory
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

This is an opportunity to work at the Agriculture and Food Laboratory (AFL), which is a laboratory partner of choice for government and universities in Canada, for agriculture, food safety, and animal health testing. AFL is a leader in providing high-value analytic and diagnostic services to the private sector in selected niche markets. As a values-based organization, with the mission of working together toward a healthier future and improving life, we are searching for a Supervisor in our Soil and Nutrient Laboratory, who will support the Division’s values: Client Centered, Integrity, Individuals Matter, Shared Responsibility, and Committed to Evolving.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Soil and Nutrient Supervisor supports and enhances the agrology analysis effort of the Agriculture and Food Lab at the University of Guelph. The Soil and Nutrient Laboratory provides specialized analytical chemistry and consulting / diagnostic services for a wide range of clients, including academic researchers, federal and provincial governments, industry, farmers, and the public. The Laboratory offers a wide range of agricultural and environmental analyses of soil, plant, feed, waste (NASM), manure and related sample types.

The Supervisor will be responsible for:

• Day to day operation of the Laboratory, including acting as backup with the ability to troubleshoot the operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments (Combustion analyzers, inductively-coupIed plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), discrete analyzer and segmented flow analyzer, pH and EC electrodes) and homogenizing/sieving equipment.
• Client inquiries and prioritizing of workload as well as human resources (team building, hiring).
• Review and approval of accurate and timely results while maintaining laboratory QC/QA and proficiency testing programs according to established laboratory protocols and ISO 17025, SCC and CALA requirements.
• Financial budgeting and costing.
• Method development/validation and implementation.
• Maintaining a safe environment for staff.

Requirements

• B.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry, Agriculture, Environmental or a related discipline and 3-6 years of laboratory experience with working knowledge of soil testing; Professional Agrologists (P.Ag.) designation is considered an asset.
• Proven experience in the management and maintenance of combustion analyzers, ICP-OES, discrete analyzers and segmented flow analyzer testing equipment; experience in managing the successful analytical completion of several testing processes simultaneously; experience in operating automated laboratory equipment employing computer interfaces.

• Quality assurance, statistics, and data processing; experience with working knowledge of various testing technologies; experience in laboratory QA/QC protocols including working knowledge of ISO 17025, SCC, and CALA laboratory accreditation program.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; supervisory/group leadership experience with ability to motivate staff and maintain a productive, efficient work environment; ability and experience in undertaking critical reviews of scientific and technical data; advanced knowledge related to current leading-edge technical development.
• Excellent background in analytical skills to review, evaluate and interpret scientific and technical data which have legal and/or health implications; proven experience in method development procedures.
• Proficiency in conducting tests, assessing results, and interpreting findings.
• Teamwork experience in non-traditional reporting relationships.
• Understanding of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and WHMIS regulations.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10921169
Classification: P&M FT- Band 06
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 06/02/2025
Closing Date: 06/16/2025