Lead Feline Veterinarian, Research Colony (Topeka, KS, US)

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country Job Number #174981 - 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.

What You’ll Do

As our Lead Feline Veterinarian, you’ll be at the heart of our mission, combining your veterinary expertise with a passion for research to ensure the health of our animal colony and drive groundbreaking studies. Here’s how you’ll make an impact:

• Champion Animal Health: Provide top-tier veterinary care—diagnosing conditions, performing procedures (surgical, dental, radiographic), and crafting treatment plans. Serve as a key clinical lead within a shared weekend and holiday on-call rotation.

• Team Development & Mentorship: Mentor Animal Care and Research technicians to foster clinical competencies, support the development of new employees, and build strong teams.

• Fuel Research & Innovation: Collaborate with scientists and nutritionists to design and oversee research protocols that advance pet nutrition. Use your expertise to select study populations, launch trials, and bring fresh ideas—like new tech or clinical approaches—to the table.

• Improve Animal Welfare: Provide support and oversight of enrichment programs for colony animals. Mentor Animal Care and Research teams in appropriate low-stress handling methods, cooperative care, and positive reinforcement training to aid in research data collection.

• Drive Data Excellence: Keep our records spot-on using advanced systems, ensuring every health detail and trial result is accurate and actionable to support our science-first approach.

• Uphold Standards: Ensure compliance with regulations (USDA, company policies) and lead with safety in mind, fostering a culture where everyone thrives.

• Showcase Our Work: Help maintain a welcoming, professional colony space and support tours to share our story with visitors.

This isn’t a full list—your role will evolve with our mission and your ideas!

Who You Are

We’re looking for a curious, skilled veterinarian with a knack for research and a heart for animals. Here’s what you bring:

Required Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited program.

• Kansas veterinary license (or ability to get one within 12 months).

• 5+ years of veterinary experience, ideally with small animals or in a research setting.

• Veterinary know-how: Diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and care are your forte.

• Research chops: You’ve got experience designing or supporting studies.

• Team player: You build strong connections across departments.

• Tech-savvy: Comfortable with data systems and modern tools.

• Flexible: Ready for an on-call schedule (weekends/holidays included).

• Innovator: You love finding new ways to solve problems.

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Your work directly improves pet lives worldwide.

• Growth: Access training, mentorship, and opportunities to grow in veterinary science and research.

• Culture: Join a diverse, inclusive team that values collaboration and bold ideas.

• Benefits: Competitive pay, health coverage, wellness programs, and more!

How You’ll Succeed

We value leaders who think critically and act boldly. You’ll shine by:

• Analyzing & Deciding: Using data to guide smart choices.

• Planning Ahead: Keeping projects on track with clear priorities.

• Pushing Innovation: Bringing fresh perspectives to pet nutrition science.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re excited to blend veterinary care with research that changes lives, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your resume and a quick note about why this role speaks to you. We’re an equal opportunity employer—diverse backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger.

Compensation and Benefits Salary Range $148,000.00 - $174,000.00 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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