Job Description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.

Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.

A career at 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.

Information at a Glance
Job Title:  Chemist
Travel Required?:  No Travel
Posting Start Date:  1/30/26
On-site

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #171259 - Hodges, South Carolina, 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.

 

The Chemist is responsible for performing chemical and physical testing on raw materials, work-in-process, and finished product samples to ensure quality and safety of consumers.

 

Responsibilities

 

  • Under minimal supervision performs / reviews analytical testing of Raw Materials, Work-In-Process, Finished Products for product approval and releases

  • Performs physical and chemical testing in accordance with standard operating procedures, utilizing wet-chemistry and basic instrumental techniques.

  • Maintains accurate, up-to-date and concise laboratory notebooks and records

  • Works as a member of the Laboratory Team to complete all required tasks in a timely manner

  • Understand and precisely follows Standard Operating Procedures, global methods, local methods and published standard or compendia methods i.e. USP, AOCS, ASTM

  • Provides training to employees on new and existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

  • Provides support to the Operations personnel with analytical equipment and testing procedures

  • Capable of operating and performing basic troubleshooting on analytical instruments (HPLC, Autotitrator, Karl Fischer, NIR, UV-Vis and FTIR)

  • Responsible for daily/monthly instrument calibrations to ensure all instruments are working properly

  • Support laboratory equipment validations by executing or assisting vendors with Installation

  • Qualifications (IQ), Operational Qualifications (OQ) and Performance Qualifications (PQ) protocols

  • Assist the manufacturing site with product, equipment, and Cleaning & Sanitizing (C&S) validations by performing all required tests in a timely manner

  • Participates in Out of Specification (OOS) investigations to collect the necessary samples and information to complete Laboratory Investigation Reports (LIR)

  • Supports, maintains and reviews data to identify trends and draw conclusions

  • Understands and applies basic laboratory safety instructions, reagent handling precautions, and disposal of chemical waste according to local environmental regulations

 

Required Qualifications

 

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field 

  • 2+ years’ experience in an Analytical laboratory

  • Working knowledge and practical experience with cGMP and FDA regulations in a chemistry laboratory environment

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

  • Familiar with quality systems i.e Laboratory Investigation Reports (LIR), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), calibration, validation, change control, etc.

  • 1+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, cosmetic or consumer products industries

  • Experience with common Analytical Laboratory instrumentation (i.e. HPLC, NIR, Autotitrators, Karl Fischer, UV-Vis and FTIR)

  • Good team player with strong relationship building skills

  • Proficient knowledge of computer and computer software: Excel, Word, Power Point, Etc.

 

This position requires a 12 hour shift and flexibility across shifts to provide manufacturing coverage of 24 hours 7 days a week


Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $64,000.00 - $87,500.00 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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