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
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Job Title:  Process Area Leader
Travel Required?:  Travel - up to 10% of time
Posting Start Date:  1/9/26
On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #171116 - 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.
 

Process Area Leader

Are you a dynamic leader ready to drive operational excellence in a high-impact manufacturing environment? As our Process Area Leader , you will own the overall management of production areas, influencing business performance by developing high-performing work teams. You will lead with respect, providing the coaching and resource utilization necessary to meet quality and safety expectations while driving continuous improvement. This is your opportunity to lead strategic initiatives and launches at our Greenwood facility.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Lead and Develop Teams: You will manage a team of Operation Team Leaders and Technicians, driving accountability and performance through our advanced team development model. You will develop and manage the training and upskilling program for our Operations teams.

  • Drive Continuous Improvement: You will own process optimization efforts to enhance asset utilization and operational efficiency while ensuring strict adherence to GMP, FDA quality and safety standards. You will implement the standards of Factory, Performance & Reliability within the teams, with focused emphasis in regards to People Capability, Visual Workplace, Autonomous Maintenance and Continuous Improvement.

  • Strategic Interface: You will collaborate with vendors, suppliers, and internal teams ( Quality, Maintenance, Planning, Engineering, and R&D) to enhance equipment performance and lead technology transfers for new formulations.

  • Financial Stewardship: You will manage the production area’s financial health, tracking labor costs and driving efficiency initiatives and saving projects through variance analysis and ideation sessions.

  • Governance and Compliance: You will ensure all production conforms to release specifications, manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and maintain facility standards for storage and equipment.You will support EOHS & Quality initiatives.

This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree (Engineering or a related technical field is preferred).

  • A minimum of 5 years of functional manufacturing experience.

  • Proven experience in managing, coaching, and motivating employees to high performance levels.

  • Strong working knowledge of plant floor systems (e.g., SAP, WMS, Inbatch)

  • Advanced competency across digital and analytical tools, including Google Suite and data visualization platforms (e.g. Data Studio)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in a large-scale, high-volume, and highly automated manufacturing facility.

  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced situations.

  • Experience in data-driven decision-making and facilitating progress through measurable KPIs.

  • Proficiency with Problem Solving Tools (e.g. Lean six sigma, Reliability)

  • Experience in regulated facilities (FDA)


Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $79,200.00 - $131,250.00 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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