Cosmetic Technical Manager

Technical Manager – Personal Care & Cosmetics

Location:
Paarden Eiland, Cape Town

Industry:
FMCG / Personal Care Manufacturing

A well-established manufacturing business supplying personal care and cosmetic FMCG products to major South African retailers is seeking an experienced Technical Manager to manage its R&D, Technical, Regulatory, and Quality systems functions. This senior role requires a blend of scientific expertise, operational leadership, and strategic oversight to ensure that all product development, compliance, and technical governance requirements are met in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research & Development Leadership

• Lead the R&D function with accountability for innovation pipeline delivery, resource planning, performance management, and workflow prioritisation.
• Translate marketing briefs into scientifically sound formulation strategies aligned with cost, performance, and brand objectives.
• Establish and enforce best-practice R&D standards, documentation, and laboratory processes.
• Provide coaching and technical mentorship to Development & Research Chemist and Laboratory staff.
• Lead development of all new personal care products per approved briefs.
• Ensure product files are opened and maintained with accurate, complete technical documentation.
• Oversee raw material feasibility research, ingredient selection, and supplier evaluations.
• Manage all required product testing, including stability, compatibility, challenge, dermatological, and user trials.
• Liaise collaboratively with the Buyer and Development Chemist on raw material sourcing, alternatives, and risk mitigation.
• Review and troubleshoot formulation challenges, deviations, or performance concerns.
• Manage and approve raw material changes necessitated by supply or regulatory updates.
• Own costings for all new products and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Review and approve changes in costings arising from fluctuations or supply issues.
• Ensure preparation and external distribution of professionally presented samples for testing and evaluation.
• Ensure QC receives final product standards and written specifications once pilot batches are approved.
• Deliver final, compliant ingredient listings for artwork.
• Coordinate artwork approval with all stakeholders and ensure alignment with regulations.
• Approve and sign off manufacturing instructions.
• Sign off the final product standard before handover to Production and Quality.

2. Laboratory Oversight (R&D Laboratory & QC Laboratory)

• Provide leadership and performance oversight to R&D and QC teams.
• Ensure alignment between laboratory capabilities and company growth plans.
• Develop training plans, SOPs, and competency matrices for laboratory staff.
• Drive a culture of scientific excellence, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

·      Ensure all new products undergo required testing including stability, compatibility, challenge etc review and sign off results:

• Ensure claims validation processes are followed and ensure all required user trial, clinical and other necessary testing is complete with validated results.
• Approve final formulas and ensure accurate documentation on the system, including weekly test results and manufacturing instructions.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and performance management of the QC laboratory.

3. Regulatory Affairs Management

• Act as the company's Regulatory Authority Representative, both locally and internationally.
• Lead regulatory intelligence activities, ensuring proactive identification of changes impacting formulations, artwork, and compliance.
• Ensure team adherence to documentation standards and regulatory SOPs.
• Provide regulatory guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Maintain and update all product files and flag future changes due to regulatory or supply risks.
• Create new product files according to internal procedure and keep all existing product files s and current.

4. Manufacturing Support & Scale-Up

• Strengthen cross-functional collaboration between Technical and Production teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in scale-up, batch consistency, and technical issue resolution.
• Support the development of technical training for Production teams.
• Support Manufacturing in troubleshooting technical issues during production batches.
• Recommend necessary formula or process adjustments.
• Ensure final approval of Production Standards.

5. Compliance, Governance & Quality Management Systems

• Own the end-to-end quality management system (QMS) structure, ensuring alignment with business objectives, retailer requirements, and global best practices.
• Lead audits (internal & external) and drive corrective/preventative actions (CAPA).
• Ensure robust systems for complaints handling, traceability, and documentation control.
• Maintain alignment with CTFA, EU/UK cosmetics regulations, and all local legal requirements.
• Manage the full complaints-handling system, root-cause investigations, CAPA, and reporting.
• Set GMP standards, internal audit schedules, and oversee all GMP audits.
• Communicate retailer, licensor, and regulatory requirements across the organisation.
• Provide training on continuous improvement methods and regulatory updates.. Oversee regulatory compliance, artwork changes, legal updates, environmental regulations, and cross-department training and communication.

6. Export Regulatory Management

• Lead export regulatory strategy across multiple regions.
• Manage liaison with external consultants or regulatory specialists for international compliance.
• Coordinate product or artwork changes required for export market compliance
• Manage formulation and artwork adjustments for export markets.
• Prepare, issue, and verify export documentation.

Leadership & Soft Skills Expectations

• Strong leadership with the ability to coach and develop technical teams.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong project management, prioritisation, and organisational skills.
• High level of scientific rigor, problem-solving capability, and decision-making.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks and translate them into business-friendly processes.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong attention to detail.

Based on site in Paarden Eiland

Remuneration: R35 000 – R50 000 monthly depending on experience

Requirements:

• BSc Chemistry
  , BTech Cosmetic Science, or equivalent scientific degree.
• Coschem or Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Science
• Minimum 4–6 years' experience
  in cosmetic or personal care product development, R&D, technical operations, or regulatory affairs within the South African FMCG sector.
• Strong working knowledge of
  CTFA guidelines
  ,
  local cosmetic regulations
  , and the
  Consumer Protection Act (CPA)
• Experience managing or contributing to
  GMP
  ,
  QMS
  , and audit compliance in a South African manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience in
  laboratory oversight
  , stability testing, microbiological requirements, and product safety compliance.
• Strong project management, documentation, and technical reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Production, Procurement, and Quality.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Willingness to stay up to date with
  EU cosmetic regulations
  and interpret the impact for the South African market.