Animal Commissary Supervisor

Job Details

Job Location:

Omaha Zoo - Omaha, NE 68107
Position Type:
Full Time

Job Title:

Animal Commissary Supervisor
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Classification:
Full-time

Hours:

Generally 5:00 AM - 2:00 PM from Monday - Friday
Pay Rate:
Range starts at $62,135/year

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA), consistently ranked among the premier zoological institutions in the world, is a global leader in animal care, conservation, education, and scientific discovery. Guided by our mission to bring people closer to animals, nature, and each other so that together we can shape a better future for all life, we are committed to advancing excellence through our core values of Care, Joy, Impact, and Innovation.

The Animal Commissary Supervisor is a key position within our team by overseeing operations for food acquisition, feed supply chain management and safe diet preparation at both Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. The position reports directly to the Director of Nutrition.

This position is based in Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s commissary that includes a highly efficient diet preparation team with commercial‑grade appliances and centralized digitalized diet management software. The Animal Commissary Supervisor oversees daily operations of animal diet preparation, inventory management, and diet delivery for over 40,000 animals representing more than 1,000 species. The supervisor serves as the operational leader responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted acquisition, preparation, and distribution of animal diets across both campuses.

This position works closely with the Director of Nutrition to secure competitive vendor pricing, support annual budget planning, monitor purchasing trends, identify cost‑saving opportunities, and assist with long‑term capital planning for commissary equipment and facility needs.

The Supervisor helps facilitate partnerships with key external stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resiliency and ensure continuity of operations. The supervisor serves as a subject matter expert in maintaining a safe work environment for team members and animals under the Zoo’s care while leading a team that meets the highest standards of diet preparation, food safety, and operational excellence. The position plays a critical role in supporting exceptional animal care through strategic supply chain management, process improvement, operational planning, and workforce development.

• Provide strategic and operational oversight of all commissary operations serving Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Wildlife Safari Park.
• Establish and maintain operational standards, workflows, and performance expectations for commissary staff.
• Oversee animal diet preparation, inventory management, procurement, receiving, storage, and delivery operations.
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of animal diets through proactive supply chain management and contingency planning.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators related to inventory accuracy, waste reduction, service quality, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure commissary facilities, equipment, and food preparation areas meet the highest standards of sanitation, organization, and food safety.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve customer service to animal care teams.

• Partner closely with the Director of Nutrition and Nutrition Laboratory Manager to ensure diets are accurately prepared and delivered according to established nutritional standards.
• Maintain compliance with food safety regulations, institutional policies, and industry best practices.
• Oversee equipment maintenance programs and facility readiness.
• Support nutrition-related research projects and specialized dietary initiatives.
• Monitor inventory quality, product rotation, and ingredient availability.

• Directly supervise Commissary Technicians, Senior Commissary Technicians, and Lead Commissary Technician.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, performance management, and professional development…