Laboratory Manager – Drilling & Completion Fluids

About the role

The Laboratory Manager (Drilling & Completion Fluids) leads end‑to‑end product and service delivery for DCF, ensuring operational integrity, safety and customer satisfaction across the laboratory and field support functions.

Key responsibilities

• Direct day‑to‑day lab activities, scheduling, SLA adherence and R&D tasks while developing and enforcing SOPs, method statements and control plans aligned with API and KDF standards.
• Maintain API compliance, manage change control, own the Chemical Hygiene Plan and conduct regular HSE and quality inspections with corrective actions.
• Implement preventive maintenance and calibration programs for all instruments, ensuring auditable records and minimal downtime.
• Forecast consumable needs, manage procurement and inventory, track cost‑to‑test and drive cost‑optimization initiatives.
• Develop training matrices, coach staff, enforce competency sign‑offs and plan succession for critical roles.
• Provide technical and logistical support to rig and remote labs, ensuring on‑time and in‑full delivery of equipment, reagents and methods.
• Strengthen LIMS/DMS governance, manage sample lifecycle data, and create KPI dashboards.
• Lead continuous improvement projects, quantify benefits and collaborate with Operations, QA/QC, HSE, Supply Chain and clients such as KOC.

Required profile

• 10+ years in managerial roles within petroleum laboratories, focusing on drilling and completion fluids.
• 5‑7 years of supervisory or assistant‑manager experience in the same domain.
• Proven track record running multi‑shift lab operations, including field/rig support.
• Hands‑on experience with equipment calibration, preventive maintenance and audit closure.

Required skills

• API standards compliance
• SOP development and implementation
• LIMS/DMS data management
• Instrument calibration and preventive maintenance
• Chemical Hygiene Plan administration
• Method validation and round‑robin testing
• CAPA and incident review processes