Manager, Data Science & Innovation - Wearable Devices

Hill's Pet Nutrition; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive invites you to join as the Manager, Wearables Data Science & Innovation in Topeka, KS. You will lead a cross-functional team to translate 24/7 pet wearable sensor data into credible product insights and strategic directions.

You will shape ML architectures, oversee ML‑Ops, and collaborate with hardware and firmware teams to align data science with business goals, benefitting pet care technologies and consumer trust.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a technical field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics.
• 4+ years of progressive data science experience focused on machine learning, signal processing, and time-series sensor data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent ML languages with software prototyping capabilities.
• Familiarity with clinical or observational study designs and data collection methodologies used for claim substantiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development lifecycle of ML architectures and data pipelines for wearable devices and animal behavior algorithms.
• Oversee end-to-end ML‑Ops, model training, and code quality standards for reliable deployment of data products.
• Align the technical roadmap with broader corporate objectives and long-term vision.
• Consult on study designs and data collection standards to substantiate product claims.
• Coordinate with hardware and firmware teams to streamline system integrations and data transfer protocols.
• Mentor scientists, data scientists, and engineers to promote process improvement and technical excellence.

Skills

Python

ML

Time-series

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science / Data Science / related field

PhD (preferred) in related field

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

CI/CD pipelines

Git

Job description

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number #174930 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

The Manager, Wearables Data Science & Innovation is a key technical leader within the Wearables Data Science and Innovation team, reporting directly to the Director of Wearables Innovation. In this role, you will lead a cross‑functional team of scientists and data engineers to extract actionable insights from 24/7 pet wearable sensor data, directly validating product performance and driving corporate strategy. This position offers an exciting opportunity to combine advanced machine learning development with people leadership to shape the future of pet care technology. Ultimately, this role is responsible for translating complex time‑series data into credible, high‑impact product claims and behavioral insights.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development lifecycle of advanced machine learning architectures and data pipelines tailored for wearable devices and animal behavior algorithms.
• Oversee end‑to‑end ML‑Ops, model training, and code quality standards to ensure reliable, on‑schedule deployment of data products.
• Partner with leadership to align the technical roadmap and capability development with broader corporate strategic objectives and long‑term vision.
• Consult on clinical and observational study designs, establishing data collection standards and quality assurance reviews for data annotation pipelines to substantiate product claims.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison for hardware and firmware development teams to streamline system integrations, data transfer protocols, and troubleshooting.
• Mentor and develop scientists, data scientists, and engineers, promoting continuous process improvement and a culture of collaborative technical excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of progressive data science experience specifically focused on machine learning, signal processing, and time‑series sensor data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent machine learning programming languages, with demonstrated software prototyping capabilities.
• Proven familiarity with clinical or observational study designs and data collection methodologies used for claim substantiation.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Domain‑specific expertise in developing machine learning models for animal behavior analysis.
• Comprehensive knowledge of data platform architecture, cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), CI/CD pipelines, and Git version control.
• Strong functional competency in translating complex scientific findings into actionable business insights for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated alignment with global core competencies, specifically Driving Innovation, Teamwork, and Planning & Priority Setting.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range $140,000.00 - $160,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.