Manager, Plant Operations

Colgate; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 124,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance within region

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

Colgate is seeking a Sr. Manager, Plant Operations in Bowling Green, KY, to lead overall production and drive continuous improvement across plant processes and teams.

The role requires partnering with Engineering, EHS, Quality, Finance, and HR to enhance performance and develop a high-performing workforce. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in supply chain and 5+ years in operations management, with a strong emphasis on quality and safety practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Engineering degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive supply chain experience, with at least 5 years in production/operations management.
• Project or process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within or understanding of the Quality function in manufacturing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong coaching and feedback skills in a high performance work system environment.
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and manage ambiguity.
• MBA or Supply Chain related postgraduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall production management within the plant site.
• Drive continuous improvement for plant processes, asset utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Foster partnerships with Engineering, EHS, Quality Systems, Finance and HR departments.
• Effectively manage employee relations and performance management issues in coordination with Human Resources.
• Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives in EHS, Quality, and Factory Performance and Reliability to enhance business performance.
• Provide leadership for development of salaried and non-exempt employees, promoting a well-trained, highly motivated workforce.
• Support FP&R standards and TB, including People Capability, Visual Workplace, Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, and Daily Meetings.
• Assist the plant in achieving FTG Savings by decreasing total labor costs and participating in ideation sessions.

Skills

Supply chain experience

Production/operations management

Project/process engineering

Quality function in manufacturing

Written and verbal communications

Coaching and feedback

Prioritization under ambiguity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Engineering degree

MBA or related postgraduate degree

Job description

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food.

Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods.

We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life.

A career at Hill’s Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 8/13/26

On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Region

Job Number#171969 - Bowling Green, Kentucky, 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.

Scope of Responsibility

The Sr. Manager, Plant Operations is responsible for the overall management of production within the plant site. Successful management of production areas will be accomplished through active involvement and development of work teams, appropriate coaching and feedback, effective resource utilization and visible team leadership. This strategic role includes leadership of day‑to‑day operations through Operations Team Leaders, as well as continuous improvement processes and programs through Operations Area Leaders.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement for plant processes, asset utilization, and operational efficiency
• Drive improvement in team performance through effective communications to all levels of the Operations team
• Foster and develop productive partnerships with Engineering, EHS, Quality Systems, Finance and HR departments
• Effectively manage employee relations and performance management issues in coordination with Human Resources
• Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives in EHS, Quality, and Factory Performance and Reliability to enhance business performance
• Provide leadership necessary for the development of salaried and non‑exempt salaried employees in an effort to promote a well‑trained, highly motivated workforce
• Support Environmental Health Safety (EHS) initiatives.
• Support the Quality initiatives that will support effective implementation of new product start‑up; on‑time completions of bi‑annual Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) review with teams; and Quality audit preparation initiatives.
• Implement the standards of Factory Performance & Reliability (FP&R) within the teams, with focused emphasis in regards to People Capability, Visual Workplace, Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, Production Planning and Standard Daily Meeting.
• Assist the plant to achieve Funding‑the‑Growth (FTG) Savings by decreasing total labor costs and active participation in the plant FTG ideation session.

Education

Bachelors of Science or Bachelors of Arts required; Engineering degree preferred.

Experience

• 10 or more years of progressive supply chain experience of which five years must be in production/operation management
• Project or process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment;
• Experience within or demonstrated understanding of the Quality function within a manufacturing environment;
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong coaching and feedback skills required in a high performance work systems environment
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and manage in ambiguous situations

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Supply Chain related post graduate degree

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $124,000.00 - $174,000.00 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
• 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)
• 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.