No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number#173305 - 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.
Job Summary
The Colony Operations Team Leader provides operational oversight and direction throughout the canine and feline animal colonies. This role takes ownership of performance management and development for animal care personnel, as well as ongoing allocation of human resources to efficiently achieve research objectives. They take responsibility for working with Site Services and outside contractors to maintain facilities and equipment to meet federal and state regulations and Hill’s Global Animal Welfare Standards. The Operations Team Leaders also interface with other departments including Product Development and Research and Innovation in order to actively facilitate efficient execution of organizational research priorities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Team Leadership: Serves as the primary leadership partner for the Colony Team Coordinator while maintaining an "open-door" presence for the ACRT team; provides overarching direction to ensure shift productivity and research protocol adherence while acting as a direct resource for staff at all levels to resolve complex issues.
Resource Planning: Plans and allocates resources and ensures staffing coverage to achieve daily animal care schedules and deliver area KPIs.
Safety and Compliance: Establishes a safe work environment and ensures strict compliance with facility policies, Hill’s Global Animal Welfare Policy, and Animal Colony Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Performance Analysis: Analyzes and reports shift performance data (KPIs, data integrity, sanitation schedules), identifies opportunities for improvement, and conducts shift meetings to communicate goals.
Training and Development: Empowers the team through training, coaching, and feedback to ensure the development of technical skills in animal handling, health assessments, and research data collection, while also coaching technicians and team coordinators to work through interpersonal challenges and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Research Strategy: Acts as the primary liaison between the colony and key partners—including Scientists, Test Schedulers, IT, Wearables, and Maintenance—to serve as the "point person" for study feasibility; evaluates new methodologies and data collection technologies to determine what works for the colony, ensuring that new processes are efficient, sustainable, and balance research goals with operational excellence.
Operational Oversight: Works with the Team Coordinators to maintain an active presence on the floor at all times to oversee cleaning, sanitation, feeding, and enrichment activities, ensuring all tasks meet high-quality standards.
Problem Solving: Facilitates strategic problem-solving, including implementation of complex or novel research protocols, scheduling to maintain adequate coverage 365 days a year, and allocation of human resources to allow for research data collection, animal health care, and adequate hygiene.
Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, address ergonomic issues, reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and promote animal overall well-being.
Technical Integration: Utilizes technology (e.g., FMS, PAWS, PAWS mobile app) to coordinate effective daily feeding and data collection.
People Management & Development: Conduct 1-on-1s and performance reviews; create individual development plans (IDPs); manage conflict resolution; lead the search, selection, and onboarding of new talent.
Workforce & Attendance Management: Oversees the timekeeping and vacation request systems to ensure all hours and leave are recorded accurately and approved on time; monitors attendance patterns to ensure the attendance policy guidelines are applied consistently and fairly while maintaining necessary shift coverage.
Other job functions as assigned
Qualifications
Required:
Minimum Associate's degree (Associates of Science, Registered Veterinary Technician, or similar).
5+ years of experience in a regulated, high-standard environment such as animal care, research facilities, medical/clinical operations, or manufacturing/operations.
2+ years’ experience in managing and leading teams
Proficiency with Google Applications (Docs, Sheets, Drive) and Microsoft Office.
Ability to work a flexible schedule supporting a 365-day operation, including routine weekend/holiday rotations.
Preferred:
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, Biology, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
Working knowledge of regulatory requirements such as USDA, KDA, FDA, AAFCO, or AALAS standards
Experience with animal health, behavior, and research protocols, as well as continuous improvement methodologies
Expected Areas of Skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) for coaching staff and communicating upwards about data collection anomalies or technical problems
Excellent ability to multi-task and prioritize duties
Proficient Computer skills including; Google and Microsoft Office applications. Aptitude for learning BI reporting.
Excellent at identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts for analysis
Excellent attention to detail
Excellent at using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with regulations, policies, or standards
Teamwork orientation
Physical Requirements
Must be able to work comfortably with both cats and dogs.
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 lbs repetitively to assist with animal transfers or equipment operation.
Must be able to tolerate working conditions including loud noise (barking), heat, humidity, and animal odors for extended periods.
Ability to work safely with industrial chemicals and detergents required for maintaining colony hygiene.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 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.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
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.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.
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