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Innovation Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Own and manage the innovation pipeline and roadmap, maintaining a balanced portfolio of short- and long-term opportunities. * Lead, coach, and develop the product innovation team, establishing clear ...

Own and manage the innovation pipeline and roadmap, maintaining a balanced portfolio of short- and long-term opportunities. * Lead, coach, and develop the product innovation team, establishing clear ...

Own and manage the innovation pipeline and roadmap, maintaining a balanced portfolio of short- and long-term opportunities. * Lead, coach, and develop the product innovation team, establishing clear ...

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to ensure continuous innovation. * Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and clients as necessary.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to ensure continuous innovation. * Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and clients as necessary.

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Showing results 1-20

Innovation Manager information

See Kansas salary details

$9.8K

$87K

$103.5K

How much do innovation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation manager in Kansas is $87,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,700.00 and $93,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Innovation Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation ManagerProduct Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often MBA or related certificationsBachelor's degree; often MBA or related certifications
Work EnvironmentFocus on developing new ideas, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationFocus on product lifecycle, market research, customer needs, and product delivery
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries to foster innovation and growthCommon in tech, retail, and manufacturing sectors for product development

While both roles require strategic thinking and collaboration, Innovation Managers focus on creating and implementing new ideas and strategies, whereas Product Managers oversee the development and lifecycle of specific products. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and candidates for each role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an innovation manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Innovation Manager, you need a strong background in business strategy, project management, and creative problem-solving, often supported by a relevant degree and experience driving innovation initiatives. Familiarity with innovation management platforms, design thinking methodologies, and data analysis tools is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, leadership, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for influencing stakeholders and fostering a culture of innovation. These skills enable Innovation Managers to effectively identify opportunities, implement new ideas, and drive organizational growth in a competitive market.

What does an innovation manager do?

Innovation managers design processes or help implement new technologies that improve operations at a company or aids development of new products or services. Specific job duties vary, depending on the company and industry. But all innovation managers must have several years of experience in their particular industry and have a history of cultivating ideas from inception through production or implementation. Innovation managers usually research market trends and facilitate brainstorming sessions within their company. They can recognize good opportunities and turn them into profitable products or creative solutions for their company.

How does an innovation manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive new initiatives?

Innovation Managers often work closely with departments such as R&D, marketing, operations, and IT to identify opportunities and implement creative solutions. They facilitate brainstorming sessions, coordinate pilot projects, and ensure alignment between different teams to move ideas from concept to execution. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for building consensus and tracking progress, making the role highly interactive and collaborative. This cross-functional teamwork not only fosters diverse perspectives but also accelerates the adoption of innovative practices across the organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation jobs in Kansas? The most popular types of Innovation jobs in Kansas are:
What are popular job titles related to Innovation Manager jobs in Kansas? For Innovation Manager jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Innovation Manager jobs in Kansas look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Manager jobs in Kansas are:
What cities in Kansas are hiring for Innovation Manager jobs? Cities in Kansas with the most Innovation Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Innovation Manager job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,029 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Manager, Professional Innovation

Colgate-Palmolive Company

Overland Park, KS • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Colgate-Palmolive rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #173105 - Overland Park, 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.
At Hill's we have a purpose to transform the lives of millions of pet families through pioneering innovation, science-led nutrition, and the best and brightest people. If you're interested in work that matters, fueled by passion for pets, we invite you to apply.
Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill's mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Our decades of science and research guide us in creating nutrition that's a step ahead so pets and pet parents can enjoy every day together. As the US #1 Veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health.
GPVA plays an integral role in positioning Hill's in the global profession as a scientific, innovative and credible partner who is engaged in improving the health of dogs and cats, and in supporting the profession. The Manager, Professional Innovation is part of the Global Professional and Veterinary Affairs team (GPVA) and has primary responsibility for representing the voice of the veterinary profession from a global perspective in all aspects of innovation. This role reports to the Senior Director, Scientific Affairs & Innovation and gathers and leverages feedback from internal/external veterinary healthcare team members and works closely with colleagues in the global growth and innovation team (GGIT) and cross-functional partners, including Science & Technology (S&T), regulatory, legal, and regional/global PVA. This role supports innovation (Horizon 1-3) from ideation to product launch and deployment in the field, and holds responsibility for the medical architecture of one of Hill's Innovation verticals.
Responsibilities:
  • Act as the Technical Content SME to translate clinical study data from GCNC, Product Design & Research, and Innovation into core "Technical Scientific Logic".
  • Hand off this medical blueprint via comprehensive Innovation Summaries and Clinical Evidence Reports (CERs) to the GPVA education & communication teams and Global Marketing.
  • Deliver high-level technical content utilized for commercial and educational assets.
  • Provide professional and key thought leader input to GGIT and S&T to support product ideation.
  • Grow therapeutic nutrition, communicate product superiority, and exhibit scientific leadership as the architect developing "Gold Standard" nutritional protocols for complex segments.
  • Define the medical logic that allows the veterinary profession to standardize care across hospitals.
  • Gather global internal feedback and serve as the voice of the profession across all phases of innovation from concept to launch.
  • Win the professions' trust, usage, and recommendations by applying disease-centric strategies to grow Hill's nutritional opportunities.
  • Partner closely with the GGIT and global/regional PVA teams to support key therapeutic categories, build key thought leader advocacy, and execute global product launches.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans that drive endorsement and recommendation of Hill's products.
  • Create materials and educational opportunities that inspire internal confidence in new products at launch.
  • Keep product information up to date for selected focus areas.
  • Serve as a Global Spokesperson by creating and delivering presentations that educate the veterinary healthcare team about the support behind Hill's products.
  • Communicate about innovative products at conferences/congresses and serve as a Medical Association Liaison and "Technical Expert" for top-to-top clinical discussions with specialized medical boards.
  • Provide strategic input for long-term (H2/H3) innovation in respective categories.

Required Qualifications:
  • DVM or equivalent degree
  • 6+ years in primary veterinary practice, or 4+ years in residency training and practice if a veterinary specialist.
  • Board certification alongside previous experience in the animal health industry.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • PhD in related sciences
  • Board certification in veterinary clinical nutrition or internal medicine (with an emphasis on cats and dogs)

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $109,600.00 - $155,000.00 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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About Colgate-Palmolive

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Elta MD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1806

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