Manager, Professional Innovation

Hill's Pet Nutrition; Overland Park (KS); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Hill's Pet Nutrition, a part of Colgate-Palmolive, seeks a Manager, Professional Innovation to lead voice of the veterinary profession in innovation from concept to launch. You will translate clinical data into technical narratives, and coordinate with GPVA, GGIT, S&T, regulatory, and regional teams to shape product ideation and launch strategy.

The role emphasizes scientific leadership in therapeutic nutrition, cross-functional collaboration, and global communication with veterinary

Qualifications

• 5+ years in primary veterinary practice (including time in residency).
• Board certification in veterinary nutrition or small animal internal medicine preferred.
• PhD in related sciences preferred.
• Strong communication skills and experience in public speaking.
• Experience in a pet food manufacturer or animal health industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Technical Content SME to translate clinical study data into core 'Technical Scientific Logic'.
• Hand off this medical blueprint via CERs to education/communication teams and Global Marketing.
• Deliver high-level technical content for commercial and educational assets.
• Provide professional input to GGIT and S&T to support product ideation.
• Grow therapeutic nutrition and exhibit scientific leadership in nutritional protocols.
• Define medical logic to standardize veterinary care across hospitals.
• Gather global internal feedback and voice the profession across innovation phases.
• Partner with GGIT and PVA teams to support launches and advocacy.
• Create materials and educational opportunities to inspire confidence at product launch.

Skills

Veterinary practice experience

Public speaking

Education

Board certification in veterinary nutrition or small animal internal medicine

PhD in related sciences

Residency trained in nutrition or small animal internal medicine

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.

Job Title: Manager, Professional Innovation

Travel Required?: Travel - 25% of time

Posting Start Date: 10/23/26

Hybrid

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number#176974 - Overland Park, 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.

Company Overview:

At Hill's we have a purpose to transform the lives of millions of pet families through pioneering innovation, science-led nutrition, and the best and brightest people. If you're interested in work that matters, fueled by passion for pets, we invite you to apply.

Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill's mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Our decades of science and research guide us in creating nutrition that is a step ahead so pets and pet parents can enjoy every day together. As the US #1 Veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health.

General Summary:

Global Professional and Veterinary Affairs team (GPVA) plays an integral role in positioning Hill's in the global profession as a scientific, innovative and credible partner who is engaged in improving the health of dogs and cats, and in supporting the profession. The Manager, Professional Innovation is part of the GPVA and has primary responsibility for representing the voice of the veterinary profession from a global perspective in all aspects of innovation. This role reports to the Senior Director, Scientific Affairs & Innovation and gathers and leverages feedback from internal/external veterinary healthcare team members and works closely with colleagues in the global growth and innovation team (GGIT) and cross-functional partners, including Science & Technology (S&T), regulatory, legal, and regional/global PVA. This role supports innovation (Horizon 1-3) from ideation to product launch and deployment in the field, and holds responsibility for the medical architecture of one of three Hill's innovation verticals: 1. GI/Dermatology/Stress; 2. Renal/Cognition/Joint/Weight; 3. Fresh, Supplements, Multi-Condition, and other diets.

Responsibilities:

Act as the Technical Content SME to translate clinical study data from GCNC, Product Design & Research, and Innovation into core "Technical Scientific Logic".

Hand off this medical blueprint via comprehensive Innovation Summaries and Clinical Evidence Reports (CERs) to the GPVA education & communication teams and Global Marketing.

Deliver high-level technical content utilized for commercial and educational assets.

Provide professional and key thought leader input to GGIT and S&T to support product ideation.

Grow therapeutic nutrition, communicate product superiority, and exhibit scientific leadership as the architect developing "Gold Standard" nutritional protocols for complex segments.

Define the medical logic that allows the veterinary profession to standardize care across hospitals.

Gather global internal feedback and serve as the voice of the profession across all phases of innovation from concept to launch.

Win the professions' trust, usage, and recommendations by applying disease-centric strategies to grow Hill's nutritional opportunities.

Partner closely with the GGIT and global/regional PVA teams to support key therapeutic categories, build key thought leader advocacy, and execute global product launches.

Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans that drive endorsement and recommendation of Hill's products.

Create materials and educational opportunities that inspire internal confidence in new products at launch.

Keep product information up to date for selected focus areas.

Serve as a Global Spokesperson by creating and delivering presentations that educate the veterinary healthcare team about the support behind Hill's products.

Communicate about innovative products at conferences/congresses and serve as a Medical Association Liaison and "Technical Expert" for top-to-top clinical discussions with specialized medical boards.

Provide strategic input for long-term (H2/H3) innovation in respective categories.

Required Qualifications:

5+ years in primary veterinary practice (including time in residency)

Board certification (preferred) or residency trained in nutrition or small animal internal medicine

Preferred Qualifications:

PhD in related sciences

Strong communication skills and experience in public speaking

Previous experience working for a pet food manufacturer or in an animal health industry role

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $109,600.00 - $155,000.00 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.

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