Quality Manager

Career Opportunities:
Quality Manager (173420)

Requisition
173420
-Posted
- Quality

- United States

- Kansas

- Topeka

- Hill's Pet Nutrition

- Travel - up to 10% of time

- On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number#173420 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

The Quality Manager is responsible for executing, maintaining, and continuously improving Corporate Quality Assurance and Food Safety programs at the Topeka manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Regional Quality Director, this role serves as a vital member of the Site Leadership Team, partnering closely with the Director of Manufacturing, Science & Technology (S&T) teams, and cross-functional operations leaders to drive daily quality excellence.

The Manager provides hands-on oversight for site compliance with Hill’s/Colgate Quality Standards and regulatory requirements, managing localized elements of technology transfer, supplier alignment, ingredient non-conformance, and microbiology/food safety protocols. Additionally, this position leads the plant-level investigation and resolution of consumer complaints, driving root-cause analysis to ensure the highest standards of product integrity on the production floor.

• Develop and implement site Quality Systems and Food Safety Plans to reduce variation, minimize waste, and protect the business
• Ensure compliance with Colgate/Hill’s, local, and international regulatory standards; partner with regulatory agencies to address and resolve issues
• Track and report site Quality KPIs to internal and external stakeholders on a monthly (or required) basis
• Serve as a key member of the Site Leadership Team to drive continuous improvement and deliver upon plant strategy
• Own daily execution of key Quality Systems such as Incoming Component & Finished Product Inspection & Release, Validation, CAPA, Change Control, Internal Audits, Laboratory Management and Documentation Management
• Manage the site Quality Audit program to ensure conformance with standards, quality-related regulatory requirements, cGMP’s, CI, and action plans to address any internal/external quality or food safety audit findings
• Lead site consumer satisfaction programs such as consumer complaint tracking and reduction of plant controllable complaints
• Administer Performance Management and Coaching / Feedback activities and provide effective career development and planning
• Prepare and Manage operating budgets for variable and fixed overheads for the Quality Team

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8+ years of Quality Management experience at a manufacturing plant
• People leadership of teams of quality professionals
• Participating or leading audit inspection activities
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety and GMP’s

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Microbiology, chemistry, or related field
• Certification in HACCP, ISO 22000, or SQF
• Analytical experience and ability to use data and insights to drive business outcomes
• Understanding of plant process systems, quality and food safety programs and controls
• Knowledge of FDA regulations and experience with audit execution and inspection readiness
• Experience using continuous improvement methods to impact positive change

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $ - $ 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.

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.