Senior Scientist

Colgate; Topeka (KS); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) with company matching

Vacation days

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive’s Hill’s Pet Nutrition unit in Topeka, KS, seeks a Scientist, Product Development to lead formula development and scale-up for wellness foods for dogs and cats. Collaboration with quality, regulatory, supply chain and procurement ensures successful launches.

Requires strong project management and understanding of ingredient functionality. Hybrid role with travel up to 10% and a pathway to contribute to market-ready products.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the Animal or Food Industry.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Product Development or Formulation.
• BS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Food Engineering or related field.
• MS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Food Engineering or related field (preferred).
• Experience designing and running scientific experiments.
• Working knowledge of nutritional science.
• Food science knowledge for optimal product design and functionality.
• Efficient at utilizing Google productivity apps & statistical software.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of sole-source nutritional solutions that deliver against specified nutrient, ingredient, quality and cost requirements through pilot plant and manufacturing tests.
• Validate product performance through coordination & interpretation of data from analytical, biological, palatability, sensory and stability testing.
• Partner with Process engineers and supply chain and other cross functional teams to optimize product and process development through the tech transfer process.
• Develop ingredient, finished product specifications and other project documentation.
• Ongoing quality, safety and related training.
• Projects to understand taste preferences of pets and use insights to enhance formulations.
• Collaborate with product development, quality, supply chain, manufacturing, regulatory and procurement colleagues to ensure success.

Skills

Product Development

Formulation

Education

BS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Food Engineering or related field

Tools

Google productivity apps

Statistical software

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

Hybrid

No Relocation Assistance Offered Job Number#175286 - 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 Description

The Product Development group is responsible for developing and commercializing innovative products across our premium wellness and therapeutic portfolios. This will involve working closely with our cross functional partners, including quality, regulatory, supply chain, and procurement to ensure successful product launches. Collaboration with our claims and clinical studies groups will ensure final product design is aligned with required efficacy and claims.

The Scientist, Product Development located in Topeka, KS, will play a critical role in leading the formula development and production scale-up phase of wellness and therapeutic foods for dogs and cats. This Position will be responsible for delivering projects and will require strong people skills, attention to detail and an advanced understanding of ingredient functionality and nutritional attributes.

Responsibilities

Lead development of sole-source nutritional solutions that deliver against specified nutrient, ingredient, quality and cost requirements through pilot plant and manufacturing tests

Validate product performance through coordination & interpretation of data from analytical, biological, palatability, sensory and stability testing

Partner with Process engineers and supply chain and other cross functional teams to optimize product and process development through the tech transfer process

Develop ingredient, finished product specifications and other project documentation

Ongoing quality, safety and related training

This candidate will be responsible for projects to understand taste preferences of pets and utilizing those insights to enhance the product formulations. The ideal candidate will have strong people and project management skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of food product commercialization and ingredient functionality.

This position will work closely with product development, quality, supply chain and manufacturing, regulatory and ingredient procurement colleagues to ensure success.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the Animal or Food Industry

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Product Development or Formulation

BS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Food Engineering or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

MS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Food Engineering or related field

Working knowledge of nutritional science

Food science knowledge for optimal product design and functionality

Experience designing and running scientific experiments

Efficient at utilizing Google productivity apps & statistical software

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $76,800.00 - $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 .

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