Scientist

Colgate; Topeka (KS); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Hill's Pet Nutrition, part of Colgate-Palmolive, is seeking a Scientist in Topeka, Kansas, to drive ingredient technology from bench to commercialization. The role collaborates with Global Technology, Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure product integrity and cost efficiency.

The successful candidate will test ingredients, support sustainability discussions, and partner with manufacturing to optimize shelf life and handling. Travel up to 10% is required.

Qualifications

• BS or BA degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Food engineering, Animal Science, or related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of animal or food industry experience.
• Preferred: MS or PhD in Food Science, Nutrition, Food engineering, Animal Science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of company’s technology goals by developing products from bench top to commercialization.
• Partner with Net‑Ops and Quality to complete root‑cause analysis of issues and implement optimal solutions.
• Lead in technical and cross functional project teams.
• Apply fundamental food science and processing knowledge for ingredient functionality and nutrition.
• Transform nutrient standards of ingredients and formulations to meet finished product standards.

Skills

Experience requirement

Animal & food industry

Education

B.S./B.A. in Food Science or related

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: 7/23/26

Hybrid

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country Job Number#174960 - 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.

Role Summary

Our Ingredient Technology team helps drive innovation across our portfolio and is dedicated to enhancing the bond between people and their pets. This team works to discover and implement ingredients that deliver cutting‑edge technologies in our premium wet and dry pet food products. We take pride in our commitment to unparalleled quality, ensuring that our foods not only meet, but exceed the expectations of pet parents.

This Scientist position will be responsible for ingredient and formulation testing, champion cost‑saving initiatives, drive ingredient reliability and sustainability discussions with internal and external partners, and lead critical troubleshooting efforts with our manufacturing plants. In addition, this position will be a key collaborator providing essential support to diverse cross‑functional teams, including Global Technology, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and Regulatory, and building strong partnerships with external suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of company’s technology goals by developing products from bench top to commercialization.
• Partner with Net‑Ops and Quality, to complete root‑cause analysis of operational and/or product issues and implement optimal solutions, including alternate supplier qualifications.
• Lead in technical and cross functional project teams.
• Apply fundamental food science and processing knowledge for optimum ingredient and finished product functionality and nutrition.
• Transform nutrient standards of ingredients and formulations to meet finished product functional, regulatory, and cost standards.
• Coordinate all documents that support the approval and maintenance of Hill’s ingredient portfolio.
• Team with vendors and manufacturing to establish and update ingredient shelf life, storage, and handling.
• Conduct biological and feeding tests to ensure product and ingredient acceptability with the pet.
• Partner with process engineers and manufacturing for synergy in ingredient handling and conveyance within process development.
• Validate alternate ingredient performance through coordination & interpretation of product evaluations including analytical, palatability, sensory, and stability testing.

Required qualifications

• BS or BA degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Food engineering, Animal Science, or related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of animal or food industry experience.

Preferred qualifications

• Working knowledge of nutritional science.
• MS or PhD in Food Science, Nutrition, Food engineering, Animal Science, or related technical field.
• Demonstrated understanding of thermal processing effects on ingredient functionality, product performance over shelf life, and product design implications of ingredient changes.
• Demonstrated understanding of scaling ingredients and products from pilot to commercial production.
• Experience in product design and development (Preferably sole source nutritional products in animal/human food industry)
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects including design and execution of scientific experiments

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $88,500.00 - $105,000.00 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.

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