Contract Manufacturing Specialist / Sr. Contract Manufacturing Specialist

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #167096 - 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, a global leader in pet nutrition, is seeking a Senior Contract Manufacturing Specialist to join our team at Pet Nutrition Center in Topeka, KS. 

The Senior Contract Manufacturing Specialist coordinates the global contract manufacturing (CM) quality program, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Hill’s Global CM Quality Standards. This role supports continuous improvement, manages the Enhanced Supplier Management (ESM) program, and serves as the quality representative for CM Tech Transfer processes, with a focus on North America.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Quality Program Coordination: Manage North America CMs to ensure adherence to Global CM Quality Standards, FSMA regulations, and Hill’s specifications. Support completion and distribution of annual management reports and drive continuous improvement.

• Customer Complaint & Non-Conformance Management: Manage customer complaint investigations, non-conformances, CAPAs, MoC, and failure investigations (including microbiological incidents) in North America. Document and report KPIs (e.g., non-conformance, consumer complaints, finished goods release time, mock recalls).

• Product Release Oversight: Ensure Key Release Specifications (KRSs) are reviewed and approved prior to product release from North America CMs, per Hill’s specifications and regulatory requirements. Ensure non-conformances are investigated, documented, and approved by Corporate Quality.

• Tech Transfer Support: Serve as the quality representative for CM Tech Transfer in North America, supporting Science & Technology (S&T), Network Operations, Corporate Quality, and Packaging Engineering for new product development and formula/ingredients/packaging changes.

• Global ESM Program Management: Manage the global ESM program, coordinate annual CM risk assessments, and execute the audit program. Ensure ESM KPIs are met, reported to leadership, and maintain CM audit readiness.

• Global Compliance & Reporting: Coordinate global customer complaint investigations, CAPA, failure investigations, KPI reports, and annual management reports for CMs, distributing to leadership.

• Global Compliance Support: Participate in the Global Compliance Program, supporting quality standards implementation and auditing programs (internal, supplier, corporate audits, FSMA readiness).

• Specification Management: Ensure CM formulas and specifications are updated in the PDM system and formally communicated to CMs by NetOps/Procurement/CS&L.

Education & Experience Requirements:
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field.

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience in a food, drug, or cGMP environment.

• Knowledge of FDA regulations, food safety, and cGMPs.

• 3+ years in a quality-related role.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field.

• Certifications: PCQI, SQF Practitioner, or Certified Auditor.

• Familiarity with EU, Brazil, Japan, or China food regulations.

• Supervisory experience

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $105,000 - $125,000 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 o