Job Information
Colgate-Palmolive Microbiologist Specialist /Sr Microbiologist in Topeka, Kansas
Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #165940 - 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.
Hill's Pet Nutrition is seeking a Microbiologist to join our Corporate Food Safety / Microbiology team at the Pet Nutrition Center in Topeka, KS. This role is pivotal in implementing corporate microbiological control programs at the plant level, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure production meets stringent microbiological standards and operating procedures. The successful candidate will oversee programs including Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), cleaning and sanitization, environmental monitoring, finished product testing and release, and corrective/preventive actions. Beyond technical execution, this position provides microbiological expertise, training, and leadership to site food safety teams. A strong understanding of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and familiarity with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations are essential to succeed in this role.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and implement microbiology initiatives and programs.
Utilize process and microbiological metrics to anticipate potential problems and recognize existing issues that could impact product safety and quality.
Assist in developing and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce microbiological risks, including cleaning, sanitization, cGMP, and preventive controls.
Support FSMA initiatives and regulatory activities to ensure compliance with microbial, food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Provide support for site microbiological non-conformance investigations, guiding preventive and corrective action plans, and leading knowledge-sharing improvements.
Assist in developing and revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Ensure accurate documentation of microbiology and food safety records, with correct data interpretation and effective communication to stakeholders.
Promote and organize training sessions to enhance microbiology and food safety knowledge across facilities.
Provide insight into managing microbiological hazards in post-extrusion added ingredients.
Consult with the contract manufacturing team to ensure compliance with Hill’s standards and regulatory requirements.
Maintain technical expertise by staying current with scientific journals, professional workshops, and industry trends.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, or a related scientific field
At least 3+ years of experience in a food manufacturing/ food plant operations environment
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree or higher in Microbiology or a related scientific field
Experience in pet food (wet, dry, fresh)
HACCP Certification and/or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification
Experience with auditing skills in quality or food safety management systems (internal/external audits for compliance)
Sanitation Experience
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $117,500 - $133,000 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 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our purpose starts with our people — ensuring our workforce represents the people and communities we serve —and creating an environment where our people feel they belong; where we can be our authentic selves, feel treated with respect and have the support of leadership to impact the business in a meaningful way.
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 (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaxk_eF4utznQoVHlxmL9jVFJbOkM4Oe5CAdKOg-h9EPdLfg/viewform) should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here (https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/content/dam/cp-sites/corporate/corporate/en_us/corp/locale-assets/pdf/colgate-terms-and-conditions-2023.pdf) .
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