Calgary Zoo: Commissary Manager

The Animal Nutrition / Commissary Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the animal care feed and supplies management system for the Calgary Zoo with a focus on animal welfare and efficient resource use. The successful candidate will manage the nutrition program in coordination with the veterinary and animal management team with a focus on welfare and the zoo’s mission and vision, and lead nutrition-related research programs to advance initiatives complementing existing conservation programs.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise paid and unpaid commissary workers in the day to day operations of animal feed and supply acquisition and dispersal in coordination with the Operations Manager.
• Lead the recruitment and training of commissary volunteer workers for diet preparation and other duties.
• Participate in diet preparation and dispersal with commissary workers and provide coverage for workers on days off or vacations as needed.
• Establish ordering routines and coordinate centralized ordering and receiving activities for animal feed and supplies.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and food stock rotation to prevent unnecessary food waste and assure quality and safety of animal diets.
• Manage animal diets using Zootrition or other animal nutrition management software.
• Facilitate diet evaluation, formulation, and refinement with veterinary staff, curators, and zookeepers.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and coordinate repairs and issues with the Facilities department.
• Periodic educational outreach internally and externally about the zoos animal nutrition program.
• Opportunity to develop nutritional research focused on the zoos conservation programs.
• Opportunity to develop contract nutritional outreach services to other smaller zoos.
• Work with the Operations Manager and General Curator to plan the annual budget, and participate in monthly reviews to evaluate budget performance.
• Effectively control the budget and provide accurate information to the Operations Manager as required.
• Prepare animal welfare cases and business cases in support of significant program changes as required.
• Drive a continuous improvement process for sourcing feed and supplies while balancing animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and financial sustainability.
• Look for opportunities and make recommendations to improve and streamline procedures, processes, and documentation related to commissary function.
• Embrace an environment of continuous learning through proactively seeking knowledge and skills to be part of a change ready workforce.
• Maintain proficiency and accreditation/technical acumen requirements of your role and continue to build skills and proficiency by leveraging your development plan.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Animal Nutrition or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Specific training or experience in Zoo Nutrition is highly desirable.
• Proven understanding of animal nutrition, preferably zoo animal nutrition
• Proficiency in animal nutrition management software such as Zootrition, Fauna, etc.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Ability to supervise and direct work for both paid and unpaid workers.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population and foster a collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload.

Working Conditions:

Workweek will include one weekend day. On occasion, the Animal Nutrition / Commissary Supervisor may be required to be available for the after-hours callout, in event of an emergency. The working conditions of this role include sedentary computer work, exposure to cold temperatures (freezers, refrigerators), lifting up to 50 lbs, repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting.

What the zoo has to offer:

• Competitive compensation package.
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account.
• Employer matching RRSP program.
• Competitive vacation and flex days entitlement.
• Discounts on food, beverage and merchandise.
• A complimentary annual pass for you and your immediate family members.
• A fun work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals!

Apply online, in confidence, no later than June 25, 2018.

The Calgary Zoo is a conservation leader whose mission is to take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places. As a not-for-profit charitable institution, all revenue is reinvested back into conservation activities at the zoo and around the world.

As an organization, we value effective and collaborative communication and honesty and integrity with an emphasis on customer focus, safety and conservation. If you would like to be part of this team, we have the following permanent full-time position available in our Animal Care department: