Application Technologist

MANE; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

MANE in Cape Town is seeking an Application Technologist to drive flavour and fragrance product development for Culinary & Snacks. You will apply formulations, prepare samples for evaluation, and collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Regulatory teams.

The role emphasizes data accuracy, timely technical documentation, shelf-life validation, and hands-on lab practices. You will work within a dynamic, privately held organization committed to sustainable, ethical business and a family culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-4 years proven track record in product development.
• Experience in food application environments is essential.
• BSc Food Science or equivalent qualification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and reformulate products within budget while ensuring cost, quality and compliance.
• Prepare samples for internal and external evaluation and provide technical documentation.
• SupportSales/Technical teams with formulation details and regulatory information.
• Maintain data accuracy, record-keeping and shelf-life validation of products.

Skills

Product development

Food application

Education

BSc Food Science

Job description

MANE is a 5th generation French family-owned business known for innovation and progress in the world of Flavor and Fragrance. As sensation enthusiasts, we strive to provide exceptional moments in people’s daily lives through the timeless flavors and fragrances we create. With our passion, creativity, and innovation, “We capture what moves”.

MANE has an opening for an Application Technologist in Cape Town, South Africa.

SCOPE OF JOB:

• Commercial awareness, with the ability to develop and reformulate products within budget
• while balancing cost, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Provide accurate, on-time technical documentation to support price quotations,
• commercial handovers, regulatory submissions, and implementation.
• Minimize waste, report equipment issues, and recommend workflow improvements to
• optimize efficiency and stay within allocated budget.
• Support annual budgeting and CAPEX proposals that drive cost savings or operational improvements
• Maintain high standards in data accuracy, measurement, application, and comprehensive
• record-keeping.
• Uphold and promote good laboratory practices, including compliance with safety and hygiene standards.

Application, Evaluation & Product Development:

• Applications are across Culinary & Snacks.
• Application of Formulations related to flavours, functional blends/seasonings.
• Preparation of product or application samples for internal & external evaluation.
• Product evaluation & tasting sessions, as required.
• Liaising Technical aspects: Sales/External customer’s.
• Supplies accurate/on-time technical details to Finance team.
• Supplies accurate/on-time technical details to Marketing team.
• Supplies accurate/on-time technical details on Commercial Implementation/Handover to PIST/Regulatory.
• Supplies on-time project progress details to Application manager/s
• Supplies/Liaising Sensory requirements to Sensory Manager
• Liaises process & SOP gaps/needs to Application Manager/s.
• Accuracy in data handling, measuring & application.
• Record keeping of all work completed.
• Conducts Shelf-life validation of products developed.
• Ensures all project trackers / systems are updated with relevant information and project status timeously.
• Accuracy in data handling, measuring & application.
• Record keeping of all work completed.
• Support replenishment of used ingredients/raw materials/Topnotes/packaging material.
• Support replenishment & stock control (maintain stock of disposables, support replenishment).
• Embrace Philosophy of “A-place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place”.
• Maintain equipment and work environment (e.g., calibration, clean as we go)
• Ensure organized & neat working environment.
• Apply & actively encourage good laboratory working practices.

Customer Centricity:

• Ensures all project trackers / systems are updated with relevant information and customers samples are labelled accurately and can be traced back.
• Provide feedback timeously to sales and customers.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with all staff, customers, and clients.
• Support Sales on strategic customers visits.
• Support training initiatives.
• Support Sales on technical questions related to our technologies and solutions.
• Support commercial team by giving technical and market knowledge input to identify new business opportunities.

People:

• Align yourself to the performance driven culture through the implementation of performance management and talent management.
• Align yourself to the Mane Code of Ethics.
• Align yourself to the Value System.

Corporate social responsibility:

• Adhere to the Code of Ethics and drive ethical business practices across the group including the management of anti-competitive behaviour.
• Participate in Group wellness and CSR activity and utilize group resources in this regard.
• Drive awareness of group energy consumption initiatives.
• Support the SHEQ and OHS landscape across the group.

VALUES, ETHICS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to operate in a privately owned and managed entity
• Ethically driven to achieve business results.
• Focus on sustainability to ensure business continuity.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and influence at all levels within the organisation.
• Must be able to work independently and also as part of a team organisation and collaborate across the business.
• Ability to work under pressure and make good decisions in pressurised situations.
• Ability to hold all employees accountable to deliver on their required outputs.
• A good communicator with the ability to read and write in English.
• Upholds the company´s values, rules, and policies and lives the MANE Way: Passionate about our customers' needs, operating with a family culture of respect and trust, and maintaining the highest ethical standards within a professionally managed business environment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS LEVEL:

• BSc Food Science or equivalent.
• Proven track record in product development – Minimum 3-4 years
• Proven track record in food application environment.

Advantageous

• Application experience in Savoury, Culinary & Snacks
• Understanding of and experience in flavours – Minimum 1 year
• Experience in Savoury, Culinary & Snack development
• Experience working in the Flavour Industry