Commissary Supervisor

General Summary: The Commissary Supervisor will order, prepare, and deliver food, hay, and supplies for all departments of the Zoo, as well as remove manure from all animal areas. This position will have oversight of commissary operations including maintaining a good inventory and identifying the daily needs of the Zoo. Additionally, the Commissary Supervisor will support the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife and protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, governance sustainability, conservation, education, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) goals.

Essential Functions:

Primary Functions:

• Organize the delivery and deliver orders to each department in the zoo daily;
• Organize the operation of operate manure removal equipment and removal of manure from all animal manure collection areas;
• Organize and prepare orders for the following day;
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all work and stock areas throughout the commissary complex;
• Accept, inspect, unload, date and appropriate inventory and stock all deliveries;
• Maintain a working knowledge of USDA and AZA standards and ensure that all commissary buildings and work areas are in compliance;
• Observe all rules of safety that pertain to the position, including use of personal protective equipment safe vehicular use, safe use of large equipment knives and bone saws, and good lifting procedures;
• Organize and maintaining the thawing program;
• Oversee the care of the live invertebrate colonies
• Responsible for the standing order and any changes or updates;
• Aid the commissary manager in initiating approved diet changes for the collection;
• Responsible for performing regular inventory in accordance with established organizational standards;
• Responsible for travel to outside vendors to pick up orders and grocery items;
• Responsible for maintaining good inventory practices, including proper in-out stocking, expiration dating and monitoring, and overall quality control of products;
• Responsible for recording and identifying each department’s daily commissary order;
• Responsible for ordering products to stock the Commissary to include produce, feeds, hay, and operating supplies;
• Aid the Commissary Manager to analyze changes or new issues in materials and supplies to find ways to reduce costs and improve quality;
• Responsible for maintaining uniform inventory and aid the Commissary Manager to improve the program in conjunction with other departments based on Zoo needs and budgeting;
• Responsible for training new commissary keepers
• Perform regular quality assurance checks including testing of hay quality and monitoring of produce freshness;
• Perform general maintenance of Commissary buildings, equipment, and vehicles;
• Aid the commissary manager in overseeing staff and operations and being the main point person for feed and purchasing needs when the commissary manager is not available
• Promote the mission of The Maryland Zoo;
• Participate in conservation, research, and sustainability projects as requested by the conservation department and deemed appropriate by the Commissary Manager based on staffing and commissary operations;
• Perform other duties as assigned; and,
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

• Communication (Internal and External):

  • Utilize the phone, email, and radio to perform basic internal communications with other members of the Zoo staff;
  • Communicate stock deficiencies, issues/problems with deliveries, and other concerns to Commissary Manager; and,
  • Communicate with other zoo staff regarding timeliness and completion of daily deliveries.    
  • Communicate with external vendors to coordinate shipments

  • Management of Resources (Financial, Human Resources, Facilities):

    • Accept, inspect, and appropriately stock all incoming deliveries; and,
    • Complete logs and forms as required by department.
    • Aid the commissary manager to submit invoices, receipts, and bills to be paid in a timely manner.
    • Report any staff issues to manager

    Minimum Qualifications:

    Education: 

    • Bachelor’s degree in an animal or business-related field.

    Experience/Training:      

    • Minimum of one-year experience in zoo commissary operations;
    • Valid driver’s license; and,
    • Ability to operate large equipment or the ability to be trained on such equipment.

    Traits Desirable:

    • Strong organizational and communications skills; and,
    • Ability to handle multiple tasks and adapt to changing circumstances.

    Equipment:

    • Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, radio, vehicles, skid steer, back hoe, golf cart, hand tools, bone saw, scales; and the proper use of a variety of knives

      Working Conditions:

      • Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to 75 pounds and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb and balance;
      • Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo as needed;
      • Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
      • Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
      • Ability to be an essential staff member and report to work in all weather conditions;
      • Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack;
      • Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, insect bites/stings, and Hepatitis B depending on the position; and,
      • Initial tuberculosis (TB) test and physical required.

      Benefits:

      • We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick and Safe Leave, and 2 paid holidays.
      • Eligible for medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
      • 401(k) with employer match.

      Disclaimer:

      The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.  Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.