Commissary Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Commissary Manager has primary accountability for all aspects of food and supply inventory while maintaining professional and collaborative partnerships with vendors. This position may supervise paid staff as well as volunteers. Oversees daily commissary management as well as long term dietary planning as related to zoo’s animal collection plan. Knowledge of, and compliance with, AZA and USDA regulations is mandatory.  Knowledge of best food safety and contingency practices is expected. 

At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can-do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard supporting the zoo’s mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action. 

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.  

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports to the Director of Animal Care. 

PERKS 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other supplemental insurance.  
• The Zoo is a part of the Utah Retirement System and makes a 10% contribution to an employee’s retirement. This includes an additional opportunity to make contributions to a 401K plan within URS.  
• $3000 relocation allowance for qualifying new employees.  
• Vacation days: New employees accrue up to 13 days annually of vacation time.  
• Sick days: New employees accrue up to 10 days annually of sick time.
• Nine paid holidays in the year. 
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families paid for by the Zoo.  
• Employee long-term disability insurance paid for by the Zoo.  
• Various employee reimbursements and contributions including wellness activities and professional development.
• Every employee receives a free Zoo Card that allows admission to the employee and up to 5 guests. It also provides free carousel and train rides, as well as free admittance to ZooLights and BooLights.  
• 50% discount on concessions and 33.3% discount on gift shops items.  
• Tickets at Work membership, which provides discounts and offers on theme parks, shows, sporting events, and travel. 
• Awesome coworkers who care about animals and each other!    

ABOUT UTAH’S HOGLE ZOO

For over 90 years, Utah’s Hogle Zoo has been a loved and trusted part of the community. Located within Salt Lake City proper, the Zoo is nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountain range at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. The Zoo spans over 42 acres and is home to a diverse collection of animals. Be a part of the Zoo as we share our newest exhibit, Wild Utah, and begin planning for one of our largest projects, South America. Make your contribution to a rich tradition of elevated behavior husbandry, guest engagement, professional development, and top animal welfare. 

Being only minutes from both a vibrant downtown and national wilderness area, Salt Lake City is a dream for cultural aficionados and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This city has it all from professional sports teams, theater, cultural attractions, universities, nightlife, and many green spaces. From mountain ranges to deserts, Utah is home to five National and 45 State parks. 

If all of this sounds exciting to you, then come and excel with us at Utah’s Hogle Zoo!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsible for Commissary oversight including cleanliness, adequate and in-date supplies, knowledge of and adherence to AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), USDA (United Stated Department of Agriculture) regulations. 
2. Author policies and protocols pertinent to the Commissary.  Train appropriate staff on the policies and protocols as needed. 
3. Develop, maintain and update contingency strategies to prevent food shortages for extended periods of time.
4. Responsible for completing tasks related to the Commissary, including ordering, stocking, recycling, replenishing, cleaning, and maintenance.
5. Checks in deliveries for accuracy and quality, and addresses inconsistencies with vendors. Unloads, or manages a team to unload, and store all deliveries ensuring items are stocked in a rotated and labeled manner for timely use.
6. Prepares the Commissary’s annual operating and capital budgets for review and submission, meeting all deadlines.
7. Tracks all purchases through delivery and payment.
8. Maintains a current, detailed, vendor contact list. Recommends product/vendor changes as needed to the Director of Animal Care.
9. Point-of-contact with vendors to ensure product quality and delivery timelines for a successful outcome.
10. Develops and implements ordering strategies; exercising fiscal and environmental responsibility; supports the Zoo’s conservation initiatives.  
11. Strives to reduce food waste and implement reclamation/recycling/composting strategies.
12. Attends Meetings as assigned (Animal Care, Animal Health, Animal Care Supervisors, , General Employees Meeting [GEM] as examples).
13. Routinely reviews all work practices for efficiency, resourcefulness and safety.
14. Must safely operate a forklift, pallet jack, hand truck and comply with UHZ’s (Utah’s Hogle Zoo) protocols for certification for driving the forklift.
15. Responsible for the pest control of all Commissary areas.
16. Works with the Director of Animal Health on all diet changes, ensuring that they are accurately translated to all personnel needing the information.
17. Will help with diet preparation as needed, or required, to ensure a timely preparation of diets for the animals.
18. Oversees the carcass feeding program, insect and rodent colonies; working with appropriate Animal Care staff members for their success. Develops new colonies as appropriate.
19. Collaborates with the Grounds/Horticulture department for the storage of browse for winter feeding.  Also work to develop an on-site browse/vegetable (edible food(s)) garden and be involved in the landscape plan as requested for new animal enclosures.  
20. Must be available to participate in fundraising and other events as needed.
21. Public speaking for media, donor events, educational programs and other events as necessary.
22. Be able to work beyond scheduled hours as requested. 
23. Maintains professional communication and discretion. 
24. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES NEEDED

Required technical skills include the knowledge and ability of:

• Computer operations and technical software applications.
• Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel

Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:

• Budgeting.
• Mathematical concepts and logic.
• Performs basic mathematical formulas and calculations.  Must be able to work in both the metric and standard weighing systems.

Must possess excellent communications skills:

• Ability to lead, train, and retain employees.
• Effective interpersonal communication, including verbally and in writing.
• Ability to speak in front of a crowd or media camera.

Must have the ability to:

• Supervise, train, and motivate a team.
• Be very organized such that others can easily follow the work.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Apply critical thinking techniques.
• Attend to detail.
• Work in a neat and detailed fashion.
• Work at a pace that completes tasks in a timely manner without taking risks and/or cutting corners.
• Analyze and solve problems.
• Prioritize work.
• Ability to stay focused despite interruptions.
• Perform within deadlines while exhibiting a calm demeanor.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Have a memory for details.
• Work longer than eight (8) hour periods.
• Work nights and weekends as needed. 
• Safely operate machinery 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS 

• A Bachelor’s degree in an animal science, biology, culinary science, nutrition or related science field OR an Associate’s degree in an animal science, biology, culinary arts or related science field plus equivalent paid experience is required. 
• Must have knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills OR proper food handling techniques, and at least one year of animal care experience at a zoo or aquarium OR food handling experience in alternative field is preferred.  
• Exceptional organizational skills are essential, including effective time management and the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Inventory/warehouse management experience a plus.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION 

• Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to random drug testing.  
• Provide a negative TB test prior to hire date and maintain TB testing through course of employment.  
• A current driver’s license is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performs work in a typical office setting for the majority of the time, with other tasks being required in a non-climate-controlled environment including freezers and coolers (refrigerators). Tasks require a variety of physical activities which may involve muscular strain such as walking, standing, bending, stooping, sitting, reaching.   Requires the ability to frequently lift 65 lbs. and occasionally be required to pull, with the assistance of a pallet jack, 75+ lbs., talking, hearing and seeing are required. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.