Operations Team Leader

Colgate; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive's Hill’s Pet Nutrition in Bowling Green, KY, seeks an Operations Team Leader to drive daily production and lead frontline technicians. You will execute Autonomous Maintenance and OPEX programs, improve safety, quality, service, and cost, and push continuous improvement to maximize OEE and yield while maintaining strong labor relations.

Lead KPI tracking, coordinate with supervisors, provide coaching, and ensure GMP, QA and Food Safety standards are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, SCM, or Business.
• 2+ years in a manufacturing environment.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the activities of Technicians engaged in production, planning schedules and sequences.
• Drive OPEX initiatives and continuous improvement; ensure EHS, GMP, and Quality standards.
• Track KPIs and prepare plant performance reports; identify process improvements.
• Lead Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program on the floor and drive tool usage for progress.
• Coordinate with supervisors to ensure seamless workflow and provide coaching to build competencies.

Skills

Team leadership

Operational excellence

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/SCM/Business)

Tools

SAP

Google Suite

Factory performance tools

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: 10/1/26

On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number#176305 - 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.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis and must not require the Company's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

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’s 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.

Operations Team Leader is the frontline driver of technical performance and team engagement . This position is responsible for managing frontline employees and daily production, as well as leading the execution of critical operational programs, including Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Operational Excellence (OPEX) initiatives, that improve safety, quality, service, and cost. By closely connecting with employees, the Operations Team Leader builds engagement, fosters a culture of continuous improvement to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and optimize yield variances, and ensures that key performance indicators and daily performance goals are consistently achieved. The role is accountable for delivering strong business results and data-driven insights while sustaining positive employee relations, productive labor relations, ongoing team development along defined career pathways., and ensures that the area’s technical assets and people operate at peak efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the activities of Technicians engaged in production, responsible for planning and establishing work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to ensure all production goals and demands are met
• Drive operational excellence (OPEX) and continuous improvement individually and among the team, adhere to all EHS, Quality, and Operational Efficiency standards, maintain KPIs, and lead in all OPEX initiatives and initiatives to optimize plant performance
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare Plant Performance Reports regarding inventory loss/gain and formula or yield variances, and identify and implement process improvements
• Leads the Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program on the floor, maintaining action plans and ensuring tools are used correctly to drive program step progress and eliminate technical losses.
• Confer with other supervisors and facility leaders to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments to ensure seamless workflow
• Provides ongoing, real-time coaching and feedback to Technicians to build their technical competencies and self-sufficiency
• Coordinate technical training to ensure team members have the necessary skills and competencies to meet the business needs, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and timely resolution of labor concerns
• Ensure strict adherence to EHS standards, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), lead incident investigations and support corrective action plans, and provide direction for safety and quality issues

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business related field)
• 2+ years in a manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong proficiency in SAP systems and Factory Performance snd Reliability standards
• Proficiency with Google Suite applications
• Ability to manage production activities, resource allocation, shift coordination, and schedule management to meet production goals
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Quality Assurance, Food Safety initiatives, safety policies, and environmental health standards
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly, listen to others, and promote efficient information flow
• Ability to manage conflict, seeking mutually beneficial solutions, and effectively handling labor relations issues
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners, communicate effectively with leadership, and facilitate the transfer of best practices
• Demonstrate leadership values inherently aligned with our company’s Leadership Principles

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment, including bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, working in confined spaces and hazardous conditions, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to wear all required PPE and fall protection equipment.
• Ability to work irregular shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and be on call during off hours.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $70,000.00 - $107,500.00 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 .