Nutrition Center Manager [Full-Time]

Animal Health Center - Nutrition Center Manager

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio

Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it's equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You'll Make in this Role

The Nutrition Center Manager is responsible for supervising all activities of the Nutrition Center including managing team members, purchasing, storage, preparation and distribution of all foodstuffs, diets, and material supplies.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

As the Nutrition Center Manager, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Demonstrate a customer service attitude, a smile, and an interest in guest comfort.
• Communicate courteously and tactfully with guests. Assist guests with questions and directions to various areas of the zoo. Anticipate the guest needs - do not wait to be asked.
• Remove trash and debris from public areas whenever you see it.
• Establish and maintain professional, positive, cooperative, collaborative, and effective working relations with all fellow zoo employees. Since Nutrition Center operations impact multiple departments across the zoo, it is essential to maintain a customer service attitude in daily interactions with all zoo colleagues.
• Ensure that the highest quality of all food items received and distributed.
• Stay updated on the latest nutrition requirements, guidelines, and best practices (OSHA, USDA, AZA, Health Dept) for stocking, storing, processing, or rotating food items.
• Maintain and update online and accessible SOPs on handling protocols.
• Identify and evaluate cost-effective vendors to purchase food items and janitorial supplies.
• Maintain organized records: online and accessible diet information on zoo species under our care, food composition records, and vendor records for food and enclosure supplies.
• Develop animal diets based on nutritional, practical, and financial considerations.
• Update animal diets as warranted in collaboration with Animal Care Leadership, Veterinary Staff, and Veterinary Nutrition Consultants.
• Establish and maintain the Nutrition Center budget under the guidance of the Senior Director.
• Assist staff with diet preparation and delivery of food and cleaning supplies.
• Promote a safe work environment. Ensure staff are trained to safely operate kitchen equipment, including knives, food grinders, dicers, and mixers. Keep equipment in good repair.
• Maintain AZA membership and attend biannual Nutrition Advisory Group meetings.
• Train key staff members to safely operate light- and heavy-duty vehicles, including carts, trucks, hay tugs, and forklifts. Annually update staff safety training and certifications for vehicle use.
• Serve as Nutrition Center Ambassador for special events such as tours and donor engagement.
• Update emergency contingency plans for the staff and facility. Respond to zoo-wide emergencies.
• All other duties as assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments.
• Bachelor's degree in animal nutrition or similar discipline.
• Knowledge of animal nutrition, behavior, and biology.
• Proficient with use of computer software programs, including Word and Excel.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills.
• 5 years' full-time experience in a zoo or similar work environment.
• 2 years' full-time supervisory experience.
• Valid Texas driver's license.

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.