Quality Engineer

Colgate; Tonganoxie (KS); On-site; USD 86,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Basic life insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) with company matching

15 vacation/PTO days

13 paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Hill's Pet Nutrition, part of Colgate-Palmolive, is seeking a Quality Engineer for our Tonganoxie, Kansas site. You will lead cross-functional efforts to uphold quality standards, manage validation PQ protocols, and drive continuous improvement aligned with cGMP.

You will investigate non-conformances, support audits, and ensure regulatory readiness with FDA and other agencies, while maintaining comprehensive documentation and SOPs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or related).
• Minimum of 2 years of manufacturing experience in a Food, Drug, or GMP-regulated environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of FDA regulations (113, 507 CFR) and experience managing/responding to regulatory inspections. (e.i. USDA, SQF)
• Proficiency in using enterprise systems (e.g., SAP) for data management and reporting.
• Certified in HACCP, Food Safety, FSMA
• 2 years prior experience working in Quality related field
• Understanding of FDA regulations (113, 507 CFR)
• Knowledge of Colgate Quality Standards and Systems
• Knowledge of 6 Sigma / Lean Manufacturing
• Working understanding of SAP/Minitab
• Prior participation in auditing programs
• Strong ability to influence organizational change and communicate complex technical frameworks to diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset for decision-making.(e.g. Looker Studio, Domo, etc)
• Excellent communication skills with a focus on collaborative problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Ensure site adheres to Hill's / Colgate Quality Standards and Hill's Plant Food Safety Program, based on managing Technical Transfer Quality Standard.
• Manage process validation program for the site, create and execute PQ protocols, analyze and report process capability to ensure cGMP compliance. Supports IQ/ OQ
• Investigate, report and document Product Non-conformances and conduct CAPA investigations at the site
• Responsible for understanding process control capabilities of site and driving continuous improvement projects
• Documentation support through development and review of operational SOP's
• Investigate and report customer complaint trends for site and ensures formula related complaints are fully investigated and documented
• Participate and support both Internal and External audits
• Regulatory readiness - FDA, USDA, SQF, KDA, audits

Skills

Communication skills

Influence organizational change

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or related

Tools

SAP

Minitab

Looker Studio

Domo

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: 9/16/26

On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country Job Number#175641 - Tonganoxie, 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.

Quality Engineer

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring our Tonganoxie manufacturing site adheres to the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance. By leading cross functionally to improve process capability with regards to evaluating statistical data analysis and implementing corrective action to achieve plant KPI indicators. Also responsible for issuing, maintaining, controlling, and auditing documentation required for Technical Transfer, Validation, Nonconformance Investigations and cGMP compliance. You will support a culture of continuous improvement to safeguard product integrity and consumer trust.

Key Responsibilities

Ensure site adheres to Hill's / Colgate Quality Standards and Hill's Plant Food Safety Program, based on managing Technical Transfer Quality Standard. Includes managing plant EMO's and conducting post launch / product reviews

Manage process validation program for the site, create and execute PQ protocols, analyze and report process capability to ensure cGMP compliance. Supports IQ/ OQ

Investigate, report and document Product Non-conformances and conduct CAPA investigations at the site

Responsible for understanding process control capabilities of site and driving continuous improvement projects

Documentation support through development and review of operational SOP's

Investigate and report customer complaint trends for site and ensures formula related complaints are fully investigated and documented

Participate and support both Internal and External audits

Regulatory readiness - FDA, USDA, SQF, KDA, audits

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or related scientific discipline).

Minimum of 2 years of manufacturing experience in a Food, Drug, or GMP-regulated environment.

Comprehensive understanding of FDA regulations (113, 507 CFR) and experience managing/responding to regulatory inspections. (e.i. USDA, SQF)

Proficiency in using enterprise systems (e.g., SAP) for data management and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified in HACCP, Food Safety, FSMA

2 years prior experience working in Quality related field

Understanding of FDA regulations (113, 507 CFR)

Knowledge of Colgate Quality Standards and Systems

Knowledge of 6 Sigma / Lean Manufacturing

Working understanding of SAP/Minitab

Prior participation in auditing programs

Strong ability to influence organizational change and communicate complex technical frameworks to diverse stakeholders.

Advanced problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset for decision-making.(e.g. Looker Studio, Domo, etc)

Excellent communication skills with a focus on collaborative problem-solving

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $86,000.00 - $121,000.00 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.