Colgate Palmolive

Principal Scientist - Fresh Food Product Development

Colgate Palmolive$148K — $174K *
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related scientific field.
  • 8+ years of food industry product development or process engineering experience.
  • Proven track record of successfully commercializing complex food products from concept to manufacturing.
  • Deep technical mastery of formulation design and manufacturing technology from past projects.

Responsibilities

  • Drive product design strategy for innovative food forms in fresh pet food category.
  • Direct testing and validation of production processes for optimization.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product design and validation.
  • Oversee documentation and regulatory compliance for product formulations.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Paid parental leave and disability coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
  • Minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days and 13 paid holidays.
  • Paid sick leave according to local laws and company policies.
Full Job Description
Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #174847 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Role Summary:

As the Principal Scientist - Product Development, you will report into Hill's R&D in Topeka, KS, leading the technical product design strategy for our high-growth fresh pet food innovation category. This role offers the unique opportunity to anchor a brand-new category frontier for the US #1 Veterinarian Recommended pet food brand, pioneering next-generation food forms, textures, and delivery systems. The single most important objective of this position is to serve as the primary technical Subject Matter Expert (SME), masterfully bridging food science and process engineering to deliver robust, scalable, and standard-setting fresh food solutions.

Responsibilities:
  • Technical Lead & Category Innovation: Serve as the primary technical lead and SME to drive the product design strategy for novel food forms and breakthrough offerings within the fresh pet food category.
  • Process Engineering & Line Optimization: Direct the design, testing, and validation of production processes to optimize manufacturing lines, improve scale-up success, and ensure commercial viability.
  • Cross-Functional Scale-Up & Validation: Partner closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Ingredient Procurement to deliver robust product designs. Oversee pilot and full-scale plant trials, validating product safety, quality, shelf-life, and palatability performance.
  • Documentation & Regulatory Compliance: Oversee the commercial formulation documentation, define raw material and finished product specifications, and support intellectual property or patent filings in compliance with regulatory safety standards.


Required Qualifications:
    Education: Master's degree (MS) in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a closely related scientific field.
  • Experience: 8+ years of food industry product development or process engineering experience.
  • Commercialization Track Record: Demonstrated track record of successfully commercializing complex food products from concept through full-scale industrial manufacturing.
  • Technical Mastery: Deep technical mastery of both formulation design (food science) and manufacturing technology (process engineering) identifiable from previous project history.


Preferred Qualifications:
    Advanced Degree: Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related scientific field.
  • Target Category Expertise: Direct technical experience in the human Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food category, fresh-prepared food manufacturing, or chilled/cold-chain food distribution networks.
  • Preservation Expertise: Strong functional capability in fresh food preservation techniques, moisture management, and microbiological control in high-moisture environments.
  • Technical Leadership & Collaboration: Proven competency in guiding, mentoring, or functionally leading technical teams of scientists while driving alignment across cross-functional business priorities.
  • Functional Competencies: Advanced capability in core functional areas including Product Design, Technological Innovation, and Technology Fundamentals.


Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $148,000.00 - $174,000.00 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.

#LI-Hybrid

About Colgate Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive Company (Colgate) is a consumer products company whose products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories throughout the world. It operates in two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Oral Care business products include Colgate Total, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate Optic White, and Colgate Luminous White toothpastes, Colgate 360° manual toothbrushes and Colgate and Colgate Plax mouth rinses. Colgate's Oral Care business also includes dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and oral health professionals. Its Personal Care products also include Palmolive, Softsoap and Sanex brand shower gels, Palmolive, Irish Spring, and Protex bar soaps and Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick and Sanex deodorants and antiperspirants. It sells liquid hand soap under the Palmolive, Protex and Softsoap brands. Colgate, through its Hill's Pet Nutrition segment (Hill's), manufactures pet nutrition products for dogs and cats.

Colgate-Palmolive Careers

Join the vibrant team at Colgate-Palmolive, a global leader in oral care, personal care, and pet nutrition, where innovation, leadership, and care converge to create outstanding job opportunities. At Colgate-Palmolive, we are committed to offering more than just employment; we are dedicated to providing a platform where careers flourish and talents shine.

Work You’ll Do

At Colgate-Palmolive, every position is a chance to enhance global health and well-being. Whether you're involved in product development, marketing, finance, or technology, you'll contribute to projects that touch lives worldwide. Our team's diversity and commitment to inclusive leadership help foster an environment where new ideas and perspectives lead to dynamic solutions.

Innovate and Grow

Join a company renowned for innovation and set your career on a trajectory of growth and discovery. Colgate-Palmolive is the perfect place to challenge your skills and expand your horizons. Here, innovation isn't just another buzzword—it's a practical part of how we approach solutions and processes to improve the lives of our consumers.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our culture is all about collaboration and teamwork. At Colgate-Palmolive, you’ll work alongside professionals who are leaders in their fields, united by a common goal to make every day better for people around the globe. Our team is supported by robust diversity training programs that enhance understanding and drive innovation.

Future-Proof Your Career

With a multitude of career paths and job opportunities at all levels, Colgate-Palmolive empowers you to tailor your career journey. From internships to leadership roles, every career stage at Colgate-Palmolive is supported by extensive training and professional development opportunities, ensuring that your career aspirations have no limits.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Colgate-Palmolive offers a range of opportunities. Explore positions that match your skills and interests through our job portal. We are continuously hiring and looking for curious, creative, and driven individuals to join our team.

Networking and Professional Development

At Colgate-Palmolive, career growth is complemented by opportunities for networking and professional development. Engage with leaders and peers at all levels and take advantage of our comprehensive benefits and programs designed to enhance your life both inside and outside of work.

Prepare for Your Interview

Ready to join us? Polish your resume, prepare for your interview, and show us why you are a perfect fit for our team. At Colgate-Palmolive, we value a straightforward and insightful interview process that seeks out individuals eager to contribute and grow.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Colgate-Palmolive: - **Career Tips**: Get insider perspectives and industry-leading insights you can use today—all from the people who work here. - **Job Alert Emails**: Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Colgate-Palmolive. Join Colgate-Palmolive and be part of a company that believes in growth, innovation, and the power of a diverse team to lead the industry forward. Explore our careers page and find out how your skills and passions can make a difference at one of the most respected companies in the world.
Learn more about Colgate Palmolive
Size
33,800 employees
Market Cap
$66.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.6 billion
Founded
1806
5 Year Trend
+2.8%
Revenue
$16.4 billion
NASDAQ

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