Junior Application Technologist

MANE; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned enterprise in the Flavor and Fragrance sector is hiring a Junior Application Technologist in Cape Town, South Africa. The role includes executing projects, developing products, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Candidates should have a BSc in Food Science, project management experience, and a willingness to taste various food products. This position emphasizes customer-centricity and innovative approaches in product development.

Qualifications

• Must have project management experience.
• Willingness to taste various food products.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Execute and deliver assigned projects by evaluating flavours in products.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver market-relevant concepts.
• Maintain and update internal systems for traceability.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Product development

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Understanding of flavours

Education

BSc Food Science or equivalent

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 a Junior Application Technologist in Cape Town, South Africa.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

Execution and delivery of assigned projects by application and evaluation of flavours in end‑product to meet customer briefs. Categories: Sweet

SCOPE OF JOB:

Independence (Finance)

• 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.
• Maintain high standards in data accuracy, measurement, application, and comprehensive record‑keeping.
• Minimize waste, report equipment issues, and recommend workflow improvements to optimize efficiency and stay within allocated budget.
• Uphold and promote good laboratory practices, including compliance with safety and hygiene standards.
• Updates & supports replenishment of used raw materials/top.
• Supports 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.

Innovation

• Execute assigned new product development projects for flavour and complex functional systems across sweet applications from concept briefing through implementation, where relevant under the guidance of more senior team members.
• Application of complex formulations for flavour and functional blends
• Apply appropriate validation methods for formulation and application of trials.
• Collaborate with the Sensory Manager to meet sensory requirements for innovation projects.
• Partner with Marketing and Commercial teams to deliver market‑relevant concepts and presentations.
• Supplies accurate/on‑time technical details to Finance team.
• Supplies accurate/on‑time technical details to Marketing team.
• Supplies accurate/on‑time technical details and accurate documentation on commercial implementation/handover to implementation & systems/regulatory.
• Supplies on‑time project progress details to Technical Manager.
• Manage project timelines and application work to ensure on‑brief, customer‑ready and regulatory compliant solutions.
• Keep product information up to date in internal systems for traceability and reporting.
• Prepare high‑quality product or application samples for internal reviews and external customer evaluations.
• Evaluation and application of flavour collection references in end‑product application.
• Collaborate with technical teams to share best practices and contribute to product knowledge databases.
• Record keeping of all work completed.
• Conducts own shelf‑life validation of products developed.
• Ensures all project trackers / systems are updated with relevant information and project status timeously.

Customer Centricity

• Develops products with a strong focus on customer needs and market trends, ensuring alignment with brand values and consumer preferences
• Puts the customer at the heart of product development, ensuring that taste, quality, and nutritional value meet or exceed consumer expectations.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with all staff, customers, and clients.
• Works closely with cross‑functional teams to deliver products that resonate with target consumers, reflecting customer insights and feedback in formulation and innovation
• Support commercial team by giving technical and market knowledge input to identify new business opportunities.
• Maintain proactive and clear communication with sales and commercial teams regarding project status and technical feasibility.
• Support sales on strategic customers visits.
• Engage in effective collaboration and knowledge‑sharing with internal category teams, both locally and internationally.
• Ensures all project trackers / systems are updated with relevant information and customers samples are labelled and communicated accurately for tractability.

People

• Align yourself to the performance driven culture through the implementation of performance management and talent management.
• Participate in development planning process.
• 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:

Essential

• BSc Food Science or equivalent.
• Project Management experience.
• Willingness to eat/taste wide variety of food products.

Advantageous

• Understanding of and experience in flavours
• Proven track record in product development
• Own transport and valid driver’s license