Sr. Food Safety Specialist

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

# Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom's of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children's oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team

Job Summary

The Senior Food Safety Specialist is responsible for developing and supporting the implementation and execution of the Corporate Food Safety Programs in compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations and other pertinent local regulations across Hill's Manufacturing Plants. Food Safety programs include, but are not limited to: Preventive Controls, HACCP, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and other associated prerequisite programs such as foreign material control, pest control, cleaning and sanitization, chemical control, and corrective and preventive actions. Also, this position collaborates with subject matter experts in the development and execution of policies, standards and procedures. Additionally, this position will provide comprehensive food safety support, training and guidance to site food safety teams.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and lead implementation of prerequisite programs in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Programs include, but are not limited to, GMPs HACCP, glass and brittle plastics, foreign material, pest control, cleaning & sanitization and chemical control

Support site food safety teams in the development and execution of their plans & programs. Work in coordination and alignment with other subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure consistency and adherence to the Food Safety Programs

Develop training programs and train plant personnel on food safety and prerequisite programs. Work in partnership with Corporate Food Safety Team to develop Food Safety Training modules

Lead audits for Hill's suppliers, co-manufacturers and Hill's manufacturing facilities specific to food safety

Manage the Hill's Ingredient Hazard Analysis Database and provide support for site team process hazard analysis

Participate in monitoring emerging regulatory positions on Food Safety. Work with Quality team members to evaluate and interpret emerging regulations and support development of company position and practices for compliance

In collaboration with Operations and Site Quality teams, participate in investigations and report on consumer complaints in relation to food safety

Benchmark with external companies on leading Food Safety and Quality Programs

Participate in Industry Forums to keep current on trends and issues relevant to the organization

Education/ Experience Requirements

Basic qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry or related technical field
• At least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing / plant operations environment
• HACCP Certified and/or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification
• Auditing / audit skills experience in quality or food safety management systems, including internal / external auditing for compliance
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with regulatory compliance of products regulated under FDA 21 CFR 507, 21 CFR 117 or other relevant compliance experience with manufacturing of food products
• Knowledge of food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite programs
• Experience in GFSI-based food safety management systems in a food manufacturing environment, including internal / external auditing for compliance

Preferred qualifications include:

• Low Acid Canned Food (21 CFR 113) experience
• SQF or other GFSI scheme practitioner
• Pet food manufacturing experience

Compensation and Benefits

Pay is based on multiple non-discriminatory, individualized factors including but not limited to experience, job-related knowledge and education, skills and office/market location. In addition to base salary, salaried employees are eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing and, for Executive-level (salary grade 16 and above) roles only, long-term incentives in the form of Restricted Stock Units and/or Stock Options.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits plans then in effect, all salaried employees are also eligible for a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Insurance: Employees (and their eligible dependents) are eligible to participate in Company-sponsored Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Disability insurance plans.
• Retirement Plans: Employees are eligible to enroll in Colgate's 401(k) plan, which provides for company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements
• Vacation/PTO: Employees receive a minimum of 15 days of vacation/PTO leave annually
• Paid Holidays: Employees receive a minimum of 13 paid/floating holidays annually
• Paid Sick Leave: Based on location and consistent with applicable state and local law, employees receive a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick leave on January 1st of each year
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave and 12 weeks of unpaid leave (varies for employees with fewer than 12 months of service and is subject to hours worked requirements)

Our Commitment to Sustainability

With the Colgate brand in more homes than any other, we are presented with great opportunities and new challenges as we work to integrate sustainability into all aspects of our business and create positive social impact. We are determined to position ourselves for further growth as we act on our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy.

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 contact with the subject "Accommodation Request" should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

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