1

Innovation Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Innovation will provide strategic direction for the innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and market trends while leading and developing ...

The Director of Innovation will provide strategic direction for the innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and market trends while leading and developing ...

The Director of Innovation will provide strategic direction for the innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and market trends while leading and developing ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Innovation information

See Kansas salary details

$9.8K

$87K

$103.5K

How much do innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation 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 are careers in innovation?

Careers in innovation involve developing new products, services, or processes to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Roles may include innovation manager, R&D specialist, or product designer, often requiring skills in creativity, problem-solving, and familiarity with industry tools or methodologies like design thinking or agile. These positions are common in technology, manufacturing, and business sectors seeking continuous improvement.

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, creativity, and project management, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with innovation frameworks (such as Design Thinking), data analysis tools, and experience with project management platforms like Jira or Trello are commonly required. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and leadership abilities help drive cross-functional collaboration and foster a culture of innovation. These skills are crucial for identifying opportunities, executing new ideas, and maintaining a competitive edge in rapidly changing markets.

What is an innovation job?

Innovation jobs focus on creating, developing, and implementing new ideas, products, services, or processes within an organization. Professionals in these roles help companies stay competitive by identifying opportunities for improvement and driving change. Common positions include Innovation Manager, Product Innovation Specialist, and Innovation Consultant. These jobs often require creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work across different teams.

What is the difference between Innovation vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovationProduct Manager
Primary FocusDeveloping new ideas, concepts, and solutionsOverseeing product development, lifecycle, and strategy
Required SkillsCreativity, problem-solving, market researchProject management, communication, market analysis
Work EnvironmentR&D teams, startups, innovation labsCross-functional teams, tech companies, consumer goods
Industry UsageInnovation departments, R&D unitsProduct development teams, tech firms

Innovation focuses on generating new ideas and solutions, often working in R&D settings, while Product Managers oversee the development and lifecycle of products, ensuring market fit and success. Both roles require collaboration but differ in their core objectives and skill sets.

How does an innovation professional typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Innovation professionals frequently work cross-functionally, partnering with teams such as marketing, product development, engineering, and operations to identify opportunities and develop new solutions. They often facilitate brainstorming sessions, gather input from diverse stakeholders, and ensure alignment on project goals. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as they must bridge gaps between creative ideas and practical implementation, ensuring successful integration of innovations into existing business processes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation jobs in Kansas? The most popular types of Innovation jobs in Kansas are:
Infographic showing various Innovation job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% 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 18 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.
#LI-Hybrid

What Colgate-Palmolive employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Colgate-Palmolive logo

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

Social media