Indigo Brands – Formulation Intern

Product development internships like this can be a strong fit for someone who enjoys laboratory work, precision, and the practical side of how personal care products are created and tested. This Formulation Intern opportunity at Indigo Brands in Cape Town is focused on supporting formulation, laboratory testing, stability studies, new product development, and product-quality processes within a cosmetics and personal care environment.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a laboratory-based R&D support role where the successful candidate will assist with formulation work, product testing, and new product development. The role also includes documentation, stock control of raw materials, stability studies, quality-related support, and maintaining good laboratory and manufacturing practices.

Note: This is more than a general lab admin role. It is better suited to someone who wants practical exposure to formulation science, cosmetics testing, product development, and laboratory process discipline in a manufacturing environment.

Who this opportunity may suit

• Someone interested in chemistry, cosmetics, and personal care product development
• An applicant who enjoys laboratory work, testing, and documentation
• A person who wants practical exposure to R&D and formulation work in FMCG or cosmetics
• Someone who is careful, detail-focused, and comfortable with routine scientific processes

What you’ll do / learn

You’ll gain practical experience in formulation support, laboratory testing, stability studies, raw material control, and new product development in a cosmetics environment.

• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Lab Practices (GLP)
• Keep records of raw material documentation
• Manage stock control of raw materials and lab componentry
• Assist in manufacturing formulations as required by R&D
• Prepare samples for internal and external testing
• Research potential new raw materials to meet product needs
• Support regulatory and compliance efforts
• Keep up to date with cosmetic trends
• Conduct product safety and stability studies
• Evaluate product stability using appropriate equipment and SOPs
• Report abnormalities identified during testing
• Assist in quality control testing
• Collate data from prototyping, studies, and tests performed in the lab
• Maintain good record keeping across lab processes
• Compile mass, bulk, and base specifications
• Develop, update, and maintain manufacturing instructions for products
• Help maintain product safety records

Eligibility requirements

Check the requirements below before applying.

Essential requirements

• Completed Grade 12 / Matric
• Degree or Diploma in Chemistry or equivalent
• COSCHEM Diploma or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge of laboratory testing
• Ability to use industry-accepted continual improvement tools and instruments
• Understanding of technology platforms impacting quality processes
• Basic understanding of organisational RACI
• Basic understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 22716, and SANS 1841 standards underpinning processes
• Basic principles of quality and cosmetics safety

Advantageous

• GMP and GLP experience
• FMCG exposure
• Knowledge of the cosmetic industry

What this role really means

A formulation internship like this usually means learning how products move from concept to tested formulation in a real lab setting. In practice, that can include weighing and preparing samples, recording results carefully, monitoring stability, working with raw materials, and helping make sure formulations meet quality and regulatory expectations. If you are applying, it helps to show that you are technically curious, disciplined, and comfortable working accurately with scientific processes.

Application checklist

Make sure your application is complete before submitting.

• Updated CV
• Certified copy of South African ID
• Matric certificate / statement of results
• Degree / diploma certificate or academic transcript
• COSCHEM Diploma or equivalent supporting document
• Clear contact details (phone + email)
• Any supporting lab, chemistry, cosmetics, quality, or formulation-related experience on your CV

Need help with CVs, certified copies, and application tips? Use our Resources & Guides Hub.

About the sponsor

Indigo Brands is a Cape Town-based subsidiary of AVI Limited focused on the development, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products. Its official company pages state that the business has been producing and distributing cosmetics from Cape Town since 1955 and operates well-known brands including Yardley and Lenthéric. For more information visit the Indigo Brands – Website

Quick tips for this application

• Make your chemistry or equivalent qualification easy to identify near the top of your CV
• If you have lab, testing, GMP, GLP, FMCG, or cosmetics exposure, mention that clearly
• Show that you are comfortable with documentation, equipment care, and quality-focused work
• If you completed lab practicals, formulation projects, or stability studies during your studies, include them clearly
• Keep your CV focused on scientific readiness rather than generic admin wording

Mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a CV that gives no evidence of laboratory or chemistry-related ability
• Leaving out your COSCHEM or equivalent qualification details
• Not mentioning GMP, GLP, or cosmetics exposure if you have it
• Using a generic graduate CV that does not show interest in formulation work
• Uploading incomplete or unreadable supporting documents

Scam warning (important)

Do not pay any fee to apply for this opportunity. Genuine recruitment for this role should happen through the official Indigo Brands / AVI careers platform. If anyone asks for money for placement, interviews, or faster processing, use only the employer’s official application page.

How this opportunity was verified

We checked the official Indigo Brands vacancy listing for Formulation Intern and matched the sponsor details to Indigo Brands’ and AVI’s official company pages before preparing this post.

For more information about how our posts are verified, please visit our How we verify listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official vacancy page using the button below.
2. Read the requirements carefully and confirm that your background fits the role.
3. Prepare your CV and supporting documents.
4. Submit your application through the official Indigo Brands careers platform before 22 April 2026.