Thermal Process Scientist

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.

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Region

Job Number#173371 - Castiglione delle Stiviere, Lombardia, Italy

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising 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.

The EU S&T group is responsible for adapting and geographically expanding innovative products across our premium wellness and therapeutic product portfolios. The senior thermal process scientist has expert knowledge of thermal processing requirements for low-acid foods packaged in sealed containers under 21 CFR 113.83. They will require working closely with formulation scientists, quality, regulatory, supply chain, procurement, packaging, external thermal process consultants, and internal and external manufacturing colleagues to ensure finished products achieve adequate thermal process treatment for shelf-stability.

This role will be responsible for thermal processing of various packaging and product formats for both Europe and other global geographies.

Lead the development, evaluation and implementation of thermal processes; knowledge and understanding of the appropriate design and methods of conducting studies relating to thermal processing of food, such as: heat penetration, temperature and heat transfer distribution studies, thermal‑death‑time experiments, process validation and verification studies, and applying other scientific methods related to thermal processing.

Knowledge of the underlying principles, process calculations, analysis tools, and evaluation techniques related to thermal processing; ability to document process establishment methods and results, and communicate thermal process requirements and recommendations. Ability to investigate new processing and thermal cooking techniques and develop protocols for control.

BS in Food Science, Nutrition, Biological Sciences, Food Engineering or related field. Preferred MS or higher

5+ years of experience in low acid canned foods thermally process in retorts

Completed Better Process Control School complying with 21 CFR 128b

Demonstrated understanding of formula development process and basic food science principles

Possesses basic understanding in regulatory, food safety and quality requirements relevant to functional responsibilities

Demonstrated ability to design and run scientific experiments

Demonstrated ability to plan and execute projects

Excellent communication skills (written and oral)

Excellent interpersonal and team skills; ability to communicate and lead in a cross‑functional environment. Strong analytical, problem‑solving and conceptual skills

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